Reddish-brown Stag Beetle

Deciduous forests and adjacent areas with plenty of rotting wood and tree stumps

Larvae feed on decaying wood; adults feed on tree sap and sometimes aphid honeydew

They are mostly nocturnal and frequently attracted to lights. Males use their large mandibles to wrestle with rival males. Eggs are laid in or near rotting stumps.

Harmless to humans, though they can give a pinch if mishandled. Benefit ecosystems by decomposing dead wood and acting as a food source for larger animals.