The stag beetle is the largest beetle species in Belgium. It spends most of its life, around three to five years, as a larva inside decaying wood, where it plays a vital role in the natural recycling process.

After this period, it pupates and emerges as a beautiful beetle, ready to reproduce and die. This final stage is carried out with remarkable grace and elegance.

To fend off rivals, males engage in combat, using their powerful jaws, which resemble antlers, to push each other away.