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Stag-beetles in action

In 2012, my friend and assistent guide John from Londen and me discovered a so-called master tree from Stag-beetles. We heared some strange cracking noises from a bush. Those turned out to be fighting male Stag beetles. We found more than 50 individuals in a small Willow tree. This Willow contained many more beetles than surrounding trees, suggesting that this particular one could be a master tree. As this was a very exciting moment for us, I want to share it with my guests. In 2012 I have visited the location at least 10 times, sometimes alone but often with my guests. The galery shows the phenomenon quite well, but to get an idea of the massiveness of the gathering, you need to come over and see for yourself. This is a great oppertunity for macro-photographers. Continuesly, there are fights and mating couples. Loosing males drop down to the soil regularly and start climbing up for another fight.

 

with our guests at the master tree

 

The beetles make wounds in the bark, creating sapruns that are populated by females and protected by males. In addition, these sapruns attract many other insects, such as Lesser Purple Emperor, Woodland Grayling, Hornets and many other wasps and flies. I hope you share my excitement about this. Come and see this!

 

stagplusgrlizard
a close-up of a male
another stag

a stag
the sapruns attract many other insects
fighting males BW

two fighting males
two fighting males
a flying male

two males abound to fall
two males fighting over a female
two male fighting over a female

an intrudor arrived
a male drinks from a saprun
a male created a wound and protects a female

overview
The habitat with the 'master tree' on the right

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Watch our video's! Those give a lively impression of what our guests experience and observe here. They are scattered around the pages but listed together on the Wildlife in Hungary/Farm Lator TV page.
Photograph Hawfinch, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Collared Flycatcher etc. from our hides. More info on the Wildlife Holidays/Photography page.
Wildlife in Hungary » Stag-beetles in action