86 The Essex Naturalist
1992). The bird has a characteristic mode of feeding, taking the abdomen, meso-
and meta-thorax and hind wings but leaving the rest of the body intact. In
Lexden around one hundred beetles with this mutilation were discovered on the
lawn of one garden. One instance of an individual beetle remaining alive for 24
hours after such an attack was recorded at the same site. Another observer in
Lexden reported magpies as "regularly feasting" on stag beetles at dusk. At one of
the Lexden colonies it is only in the last two years that this predation has been
noticed (Blaxill, 1996). An opportunist feeder, the magpie includes insects,
especially Coleoptera (including Lucanidae) in its wide ranging diet (Cramp et
al., 1994). Stag beetle mortality due to magpie predation could well increase as
magpies become commoner in the suburbs and learn to exploit this food source.
One instance of a house sparrow (Passer domesticus ) feeding on a a stag beetle
was also recorded. Whilst feeding mainly on plant material the house sparrow
has been observed to take insects, including Coleoptera, during the breeding
season (Cramp et al., 1994). Whether the sparrow was feeding on an already
dead beetle or had managed to kill it is a matter of conjecture.
An interesting observation of an unspecified species of seagull attacking flying
stag beetles was received. The beetles fell to the ground but were not eaten.
Flying ants were also present and gulls are known to eat these as well as
Coleoptera (Cramp et al., 1994).
Several attempts by common frogs (Rana temporaria) to swallow stag beetles
were noted, all were unsuccessful.
Stag beetle/human interactions
Many members of the public appear to enjoy having stag beetles around and
several instances of altruism towards the insects are listed in the survey returns.
In Colchester the colloquial name "Billywitch" is used indiscriminately for large
beetles of the genera Lucanus, Amphimallon and Melolontha.
Inevitably, however, there are a few unfortunate encounters with the general
public. When beetles fly indoors, often confused by domestic lights, they can be
alarming to some. Their flight can also be unpredictable, causing them to land
accidentally on people. An extraordinary account from the present survey
describes "a swarm of stag beetles" becoming entangled in a woman's cardigan
and having to be picked off her by passers-by.
Some people regard the stag beetle as threatening, usually on account of the
large mandibles of the male and one correspondent assured the author that a
single bite or sting from a stag beetle could kill a cart-horse!
Conservation
Without a doubt, the key to maintaining stag beetle numbers is the
maintenance of a ready supply of rotting stumps and roots for the larval stages.
The onset of Dutch elm disease in the 1960's left a ready supply of stumps, but