Dorcus metacostatus
Coleoptera / Family: Lucanidae
- Total length
- Male 25-65 mm, Female 26-40 mm
- Range
- Amami-Oshima, Kakeroma-jima, Uke-jima, Yoro-jima, and Tokunoshima
It is nocturnal, gathering around the sap of Castanopsis, oaks, Mallotus japonicus, and other trees, and is also attracted to light. In the diorama, it can be seen around the sap.
Its hardened forewings feature small round indentations and four distinct vertical ridges, with those of males being wider and less pronounced than those of females. It is closely related to D. kyanrauensis, a species found in Taiwan.
Adults emerge around April and can be observed until October. Larvae can be found at the grounded parts of fallen broadleaf trees or at the base of standing dead trees.
Habitat of This Animal:
A:Forest along the valley - A1:Accessible forest
While there are also high mountains in Tokunoshima Island, there are also plateaus formed by raised coral reefs surrounding such mountains. These plateaus, with base rock made of Ryukyu limestone, formed a complicated terrain as a result of erosion. Forests growing on such plateau are made of plants preferring limestone soil, and this is one of the important factors characterizing the nature of Tokunoshima Island.
This A1:Accessible forest