Stag-beetles
Guides
Aesalinae
Aesalinae is a subfamily of stag beetles (Lucanidae) established by William Sharp Macleay in 1819, with the type genus Aesalus. The subfamily contains three tribes: Aesalini (seven extant genera including Aesalus), Ceratognathini (four extant genera including Ceratognathus), and Nicagini (monotypic genus Nicagus). The group includes both extant and fossil taxa, with described fossil genera dating from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
Ceruchus
Ceruchus is a genus of stag beetles in the family Lucanidae, established by Macleay in 1819. The genus comprises approximately 18–19 described species. Members are saproxylic beetles associated with decaying wood. At least one species, Ceruchus chrysomelinus, is an endangered relict of natural Central European montane forests.
Nicagus
Nicagus is a monogeneric genus of stag beetles (family Lucanidae) comprising three described species: N. japonicus (Japan), N. obscurus (eastern and central North America), and N. occultus (western Texas). The genus represents the tribe Nicagini within subfamily Aesalinae. The discovery of N. occultus in unvegetated sand dunes marked an unexpected range extension and unusual habitat for the family.
Scarabaeoidea
Scarabs, Stag Beetles, Dung Beetles, Fruit and Flower Chafers
Scarabaeoidea is a superfamily of beetles comprising approximately 35,000 described species, with around 200 new species described annually. It is the sole superfamily within the infraorder Scarabaeiformia. The group includes diverse families such as Scarabaeidae (scarabs, dung beetles, chafers), Lucanidae (stag beetles), Geotrupidae (earth-boring scarabs), and Bolboceratidae. Many species exhibit distinctive circularly polarized light reflection from their cuticles, produced by helicoidal stacks of chitin microfibrils. The superfamily is currently undergoing taxonomic revision at the family level.
Syndesinae
Syndesinae is a subfamily of stag beetles (family Lucanidae) containing at least two genera and four described species. The subfamily includes the genera Ceruchus and Sinodendron. Members of this group are part of the scarabaeoid beetle lineage within the order Coleoptera.