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
Size: Males 30–70 mm, females 28–40 mm; the largest species in the subfamily Lampriminae
Lifespan: Adults live over a year after emergence, sometimes exceeding 2 years in captivity
Diet: Other Larvae grow by eating rotting wood; adults feed on tree sap and similar foods
Distribution: Native to southern New Guinea and northern Queensland, Australia. Source
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

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

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 0

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

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Not Evaluated (NE)

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
How many operating facilities are registered here?: Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 0 Source

Books & gear

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