Cottonwood Stag Beetle Larva

Description

Lucanus mazama is commonly called the Cottonwood Stag Beetle.

Back in mid-October 2025.

This listing is for a captive-bred L1/L2 larva at $25 each.

The larvae are the immature grubs that feed on decaying wood from hardwood trees like oak, cottonwood, alder, maple, ash, etc. They will ship in a small amount of oak flake soil substrate that could sustain them for a month or so. You really should have a plan for acquiring the suitable wood before getting them. I do offer a premium oak flake soil product in the links below.

Larvae go through three instars before pupating and then emerging as adult beetles like the one in the photo on this page. L3 is the last and longest larval instar. Generally, this species matures in a year, but it can take more or less time based on factors of temperature and food quality.

A whole book written on their care is also offered below. To sum it up in three words–wood and moisture.

Adults later feed on juicy fruits like apple, peach and pear but we usually offer them insect jellies.