Choose the deer beetles! Brandenburg citizens are in demand!

Choose the deer beetles! Brandenburg citizens are in demand!

Berlin, Deutschland - The Brandenburg State Office for the Environment has started a call for counting deer beetles. On Monday, the Ministry of the Environment informed about this and encouraged the citizens to report their observations online. The participation campaign runs until the end of July because the deer beetle is active during this time. A message can be submitted on the website lfu.brandenburg.de. The deer beetle is one of the strongly endangered and strictly protected species in Germany.

The last surveys showed that most finds in Brandenburg come about by random reports from citizens. In 2020, for example, 137 finds were registered to record the spread of this fascinating beetle type. The deer beetle prefers old oak forests and is particularly common in the south of Brandenburg, while it is practically missing in the northern and northwestern regions.

characteristics and way of life

The deer beetle is not only a protected species, but also the largest beetle in Europe. Males reach a body length of 4.5 to 8 centimeters, while females become a maximum of 4 centimeters long. Their external appearance varies from dark brown to black, with the male beetles having striking, large mouth tools that are reminiscent of an antlers. These mandibles play a key role in fighting for females and areas. Females, on the other hand, have a narrower head and normally developed mandibles that are provided with yellow hairy stains on the front legs.

The lifestyle of the deer beetle is hidden. It is twilight and nocturnal and sucks plant juices from the end of May to the end of July during its main flight period. Females lure male through pheromones while the males fight for the right to mate. The females lay their eggs up to 75 cm deep in the ground, mainly at the roots of dead or sick trees. Here the larvae that need several years develop to grow.

threat and protection

The deer beetle is classified as strongly endangered based on the red list of Germany. The decline in stock is mainly due to the loss of habitats, especially old oak forests with dead wood. Protective measures are therefore urgently required. This also includes the design of habitats by legislators and administrations. Property owners play an important role because they should maintain the nests that consist of old tree stumps.

The removal or collecting of deer beetles is prohibited by law. In emergencies, for example when beetles are in dangerous locations, you can safely touch and reset them, but do not bring them to far away forests. It is also important for construction work to respect the animals and habitats of the animals. Communication with experts is recommended to protect endangered species and their habitats.

The spread of the deer beetle can be better recorded by increasing attention and observations by the citizens and better protective measures can be added. These large beetles are easily visible to many, and the campaign offers an opportunity to make an active contribution to species protection.

For further information and to record reports, visit the pages of Deutschlands Natur and Wald-Wiki.