Red Rot Stag Beetle - Ceruchus piceus

This species is known for its compact size and dark, understated coloration. Larvae develop within decaying red rot wood, particularly conifers and oak, where they feed and grow over an extended period. Adults are uniformly dark brown to black and exhibit modest sexual dimorphism; males possess short, stout mandibles used in brief pushing contests, while females are slightly broader with more functional jaws. Unlike many larger stag beetles, adults are secretive and short-lived, often remaining close to their emergence sites in cool, moist forest habitats, making them an interesting but infrequently encountered species for collectors and keepers.

Adults of this species do not seem to feed, or eats wood. Found only in red rot, they do well went kept cool (65~)