Hope's Stag Beetle

Hope's Stag Beetle

Dorcus hopei

Daily sighting probability ~20% · Possible
at Hefei

In 3 days ~60% in a week ~90%

10 Verified sightings at Hefei
September Best month

About the Hope's Stag Beetle

Dorcus hopei is a beetle in the family Lucanidae. The life history of Dorcus hopei is fairly similar to that of all beetles in the Lucanidae family. D. hopei are often in their larval state for around one to two years. D. hopei eggs are laid in decaying wood logs in forests of China, Korea, and Japan. The larvae feed on the decaying wood by utilizing a species of yeast, Pichia, that breaks down the xylose of the rotting wood. The larval stage is unique for its ability to survive the harsh winters of its native range, capable of surviving in temperatures as low as -15°C for 24 hours. This is due to their unique antifreeze proteins, a protein not found in any of their relative Lucanidae and very few insects in general.

Because of their native range, the D. hopei has developed to overwinter the icy seasons in Japan, Korea, and China. The adults live for around three to five years, often on the grounds of forests. Studies have shown that the males and females often act differently from one another, often as a result of their sexual dimorphism. The males have different mandible sizes, a common trait amongst stag beetles and often use them depending on the size of them, with... Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability

More parks will be added in future updates.

Cities Where Found

# City Country Daily sighting probability
1 Hefei 🇨🇳 China
~20%
2 Nanjing 🇨🇳 China
~20%
3 Shanghai 🇨🇳 China
~10%
4 Hangzhou 🇨🇳 China
~10%

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing a Hope's Stag Beetle in Hefei?

Possible

About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Hope's Stag Beetle sighting in Hefei on a given day, based on 10 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 15th most-seen of the 44 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 60%, and over a week to about 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.

When is the best time to see a Hope's Stag Beetle in Hefei?

May, September and November

In those months about 40% of wildlife watchers report a Hope's Stag Beetle in Hefei on a given day, against under 5% in March–April, June–July, October and December–January, the lowest months.

Is Hefei the best place to see a Hope's Stag Beetle?

Yes

Of the 4 cities where we can rate Hope's Stag Beetle sightings, Hefei has the highest daily chance: about 20%. Next come Nanjing (China, about 20%) and Shanghai (China, about 10%).

Where does the Hope's Stag Beetle sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records

It is estimated from how often the Hope's Stag Beetle is recorded against all the insects logged in Hefei (10 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.

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