New stag beetle species discovered in Greece
Researchers described Lucanus apollon as the first new European species in its genus in about 180 years.
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A previously unknown species of stag beetle has been discovered and scientifically described in Greece. The species was named Lucanus apollon and, according to the researchers, was found thanks to observations by two amateur beetle enthusiasts.
The beetle belongs to the genus Lucanus, which also includes the stag beetle known in the Netherlands. According to the researchers, the new species is almost five centimetres long and was found in mountainous areas on the Greek mainland and the island of Euboea.
The discovery began with photographs on the iNaturalist platform. Jonas Kristl, affiliated with the Natural History Museum in Vienna, and French beetle enthusiast Gaëtan Flocon noticed an animal that did not correspond well with known European species. After obtaining an official collecting permit, they went looking for specimens in 2025.
The researchers report that they found 56 male beetles in the Geraneia mountain range. Comparison with material from museum collections and related species indicated, according to the researchers, that it was a separate species. They say an important characteristic is the shape of the males’ mandibles.
The description appeared in the Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift, in which the researchers describe the animal as a separate species. The researchers stress that additional fieldwork is needed to establish its distribution and way of life more clearly.
Little is yet known about the females of Lucanus apollon. It is also unclear how large the population is or exactly what threats the species faces. Above all, the find shows that even conspicuous insects in Europe have not yet been fully mapped. Online nature observations and museum collections can play an important role in this.
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The key facts have been confirmed by an independent news source and the scientific publication mentioned. Unknown population data are explicitly presented as uncertain in the text.
- confirmed Lucanus apollon is a newly described stag beetle from Greece. — Described in the Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift and mentioned by Der Standard. source
- confirmed The discovery began with photographs on iNaturalist. — Der Standard describes the first observation via the platform. source
- confirmed The species is the first new European Lucanus species in about 180 years. — This wording appears in the reporting and refers to the species description. source
Editor's note
The species description, location and researchers involved are certain. The size and threats facing the population have not yet been established.Sources
- Citizen Scientists entdecken erste neue europäische Hirschkäferart seit 180 Jahren — Der Standard
- Neue Hirschkäferart in Europa entdeckt und beschrieben — Heute.at
- A surprising discovery of a new Lucanus species from Corinthia — Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „wetenschap biodiversiteit”
- RTL Nieuws — „wetenschap biodiversiteit”
- NOS — „wetenschap biodiversiteit”