Platycerus caraboides

Appearance

''Platycerus caraboides'' can reach a body length of about 9–13 mm . These beetles have flat body, metallic black, steel blue or greenish. Antennae are geniculate, with a club of 3 items, Jaws are denticulate at the inner edge and also in the male they are shorter than the head. This species can be easily distinguished as a stag beetle by its elbowed antennae.

This species is very similar to ''Platycerus caprea'' .

Naming

Subspecies include:
⤷ ''Platycerus caraboides caerulosus'' Didier & Ségui, 1953
⤷ ''Platycerus caraboides caraboides''

Distribution

These beetles are present in most of Europe , in Asia and in North Africa

Behavior

Adults can mostly be encountered from May through July, flying around during the day in deciduous forests or staying on the ground on rotten branches. The predominantly host-plants are broadleaf plants, but also conifers . The larvae usually live on decayed wood of oak and beech.