What makes the rainbow stag beetle's color special?

Its exoskeleton produces structural color that shifts between green, red, purple, and blue depending on the angle of light, though the colors fade quickly after death.

Where is it found in the wild?

It lives in the rainforests of northern Queensland, Australia, and southern New Guinea, with larvae developing inside wet, rotting wood.

Rainbow Stag Beetleニジイロクワガタ

Phalacrognathus muelleriNE— Not Evaluated

The rainbow stag beetle is native to the rainforests of northern Queensland, Australia, and southern New Guinea, where its larvae develop for up to three years in wet, rotting wood. Adults are prized for their iridescent, jewel-like exoskeleton that shifts through green, red, purple, and blue. Its conservation status has not been formally evaluated by the IUCN.

Rainbow Stag Beetle (reference photo) — Photo: Jbjensen1 / CC0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Coleoptera / Lucanidae Source
Distribution: Native to southern New Guinea and northern Queensland, Australia. Source

Did You Know?

Its jewel-like, iridescent exoskeleton shifts between green, red, purple, and blue depending on the viewing angle, making it a favorite among beetle collectors. Source
Its brilliant colors fade rapidly after death, which makes the species notoriously difficult to preserve as specimens. Source

Where to See This Species

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Verified individual animals and facilities will be added as official information becomes available.

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNの評価区分は資料上明確でないためnullとした。

Habitat

熱帯・亜熱帯の森林と朽ち木。

Threats

森林環境の改変
採集圧

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

飼育下繁殖
森林環境の保全

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

What makes the rainbow stag beetle's color special?: Its exoskeleton produces structural color that shifts between green, red, purple, and blue depending on the angle of light, though the colors fade quickly after death. Source
Where is it found in the wild?: It lives in the rainforests of northern Queensland, Australia, and southern New Guinea, with larvae developing inside wet, rotting wood. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org