Fierce-looking beetle actually harmless

This insect is an elephant stag beetle. The stag part of its name is derived from the large mandibles at the front of the beetle, which mimic male stag deer antlers. The elephant part refers to the fact that other stag beetles exist, but this species is the largest.

Commonly called "pinching bugs" and looking quite fierce, these insects pose no threat to humans who may choose to handle them.

Males will fight each other for breeding rights much like deer will. An elephant stag beetle may live two years as an adult, spending most of the time in trees where it subsists on juices of decaying wood and tree sap. Because of its long legs and oversized head the elephant stag beetle is clumsy and awkward in its attempt to walk on the ground, but it climbs trees well.

In the larval stage of development this insect looks like a grub worm. It lives in the decaying wood of old stumps, snags or fallen logs.

There are about 30 species of stag beetles in North America and many more throughout much of the world.

Through the Woods is a weekly nature photo column by Aaron Horrell. Find this column at semissourian.com to order a reprint of the photo. Find more work by him at the O'Tenem Gallery.