It’s a bug and it costs Rs 75 lakh. Find out which one and why

A stag beetle is expensive because it is quite rare and believed to be a lucky charm

A bug can cost up to Rs 75 lakh. Can you believe it? The ‘stag beetle’ is among the costliest insects in the world. So, what makes it special? A stag beetle is expensive since it is rare and considered a lucky charm. Some believe that owning a stag beetle will make you rich overnight.

According to a recent study published in the journal Scientific Data, these insects form a “significant saproxylic assemblage in forest ecosystems and are noted for their enlarged mandibles and male polymorphism.”

Life Cycle of Stag Beetles

As per the London-based Natural History Museum, these insects weigh between 2-6 grams and have an average lifespan of 3-7 years. While the males are 35-75mm long, the females are 30-50mm in length. They are also used for medicinal purposes.
The name of the stag beetle has been derived from the distinctive mandibles that are found on the male ones, resembling an antler of stags. The male stag beetles use their distinctive, antler-like jaws to battle each other for the chance to mate with females during the breeding season, as per reports filed by NDTV.

Where can Stag Beetles be found?

Reportedly, Stag beetles like warm, tropical habitats and are susceptible to chilly temperatures. They live natively in woodlands, but they can also be found in hedgerows, ancient orchards, and urban places such as parks and gardens with a lot of dead wood.

What do Stag Beetles eat?

As per reports filed by NDTV, adult stag beetles primarily feed on sweet liquids like tree sap and the juice from rotting fruit. They mainly rely on the energy reserves they accumulated during their larval stage, which sustains them throughout their adult life.
The larvae of stag beetles feed on dead wood, using their sharp jaws to scrape and extract splinters from the fibrous surface. Since they exclusively feed on dead wood, stag beetles do not pose a threat to living trees or shrubs, making them harmless to healthy vegetation.

Reasons for High Cost of Stag Beetles:

Rarity and Species: Some species of stag beetles are extremely rare, especially large and unique specimens. The scarcity of these beetles in the wild increases their value.

Size: Larger stag beetles are more valuable. Collectors often seek out the biggest beetles, which are harder to find and thus command higher prices.

Aesthetics: Stag beetles with unique and impressive mandibles (the pincers) and vibrant colors are more desirable to collectors, driving up their prices.

Cultural Significance: In countries like Japan, stag beetles are considered a symbol of good luck and are often kept as pets. This cultural fascination contributes to their high market value.

Breeding and Maintenance: Raising stag beetles, especially to reach large sizes, requires specialized knowledge and conditions. The effort and resources needed to breed these beetles can also add to their cost.

Demand Among Collectors: There is a niche but passionate community of insect collectors who are willing to pay high prices for rare and exceptional stag beetles.

The combination of these factors makes stag beetles some of the most expensive insects available, with prices reflecting their rarity, beauty, and the demand among collectors.

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