Description
A breeding chamber can be specifically designed for the stag beetle, they have difficulty finding breeding sites that last long enough. They lay their eggs in underground rotting wood, after which the larvae take 3 to 4 years to reach the adult stage. In practice, in many places the suitable rotting wood is often cleared by that time.
A deer chamber is built up from trunks of oak, elm, beech or fruit trees with a diameter greater than 5 cm. Other deciduous tree species are also suitable but should not decompose too quickly. When choosing wood, it is important to combine different tree species that have different lengths and stages of decomposition. This way, different generations get the chance to develop.
It doesn't make much sense to build breeding dens for the stag beetle in locations where the species no longer occurs. The species is so sedentary that it won't often colonize new territories. It is, of course, always worth considering creating a breeding den with other beetles in mind that could benefit from it.
