Devon residents urged to join the hunt for spectacular stag beetles this Summer

Wildlife experts are calling on people across Devon and the wider UK to take part in this year’s Great Stag Hunt, a national survey that helps track one of Britain’s most striking but increasingly rare insects: the stag beetle.

Run by the conservation charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), the Great Stag Hunt has been a cornerstone of UK insect monitoring since it began in 1998, with data collection stretching back more than 25 years. The survey invites the public to record sightings of stag beetles, particularly the males, known for their dramatic antler-like jaws, on the PTES website: ptes.org/gsh.

Stag beetles, once common throughout Britain and Europe, have vanished from many of their former habitats, largely due to habitat loss and changing land use. Devon remains one of the few areas in south-west England where the species can still be found. Coastal parts of the county are considered hotspots for these charismatic insects, making the region a key area for conservation efforts.

“Stag beetles are fascinating insects, spending most of their lives – three to five years – underground before emerging as adults in search of a mate,” said David Wembridge, Conservation Research and Strategy Officer at PTES. “Unfortunately, their populations are under threat due to the loss of deadwood habitats from gardens, parks, and woodlands, which are essential habitats for their life cycle.”

The beetles are typically seen in urban and suburban gardens, parks, woodland edges and even on sunlit walls and tarmac during the summer months. The grubs live underground among old tree roots, while adult males often take flight on warm evenings between June and July, searching for smaller, conker-brown females.

“In urban areas, stag beetles are vulnerable to traffic and footfall as they bask on warm tarmac surfaces,” Wembridge added. “That’s why it’s so important to ensure we leave space for stag beetles and other wildlife in our towns and cities. Taking part in the Great Stag Hunt is a simple but powerful way for people to help us understand and conserve these incredible insects. We hope many people will get involved again this summer.”

Devon residents can play a vital role by logging their sightings - no experience is necessary. PTES offers free online ID guides to help distinguish stag beetles from lookalikes like the lesser stag beetle. For those unsure of their find, photos can be submitted for expert verification.

Last year’s survey saw 15,000 records submitted nationwide, with over 2,600 in Hampshire, 2,100 in Greater London, and 1,700 in Surrey. However, every region - including Devon - is encouraged to report sightings, especially as beetles sometimes appear in unexpected locations, helping conservationists build a more accurate national map.

PTES also encourages those living in stag beetle hotspots to join the Stag Beetle Count, a simple survey involving six 30-minute evening walks on warm days between June and July. More details are available at: stagbeetles.ptes.org/stag-beetle-count.

Nida Al-Fulaij, CEO at PTES, stressed the broader importance of the project:
“Data gathered from citizen science surveys such as the Great Stag Hunt are essential for tracking progress towards the government’s legally binding biodiversity targets outlined in the Environmental Act 2021. Understanding trends in invertebrate populations is challenging but, with the public’s help, we are able to learn more about the smaller creatures who share our world and target conservation efforts effectively.”

How Devon can help stag beetles:

• Keep deadwood and tree stumps in your garden or green spaces.

• Move beetles off roads or paths to safer areas like garden borders.

• Cover water butts and make ponds escape-friendly.

• Avoid weed matting to allow beetles to emerge from the soil.

• Join the Stag Beetle Count if you live in a hotspot.

To take part in the Great Stag Hunt or learn more, visit stagbeetles.ptes.org, and don’t forget to share your sightings on social media using #GreatStagHunt and tagging @PTES.