Big Bodacious Bugs! Part 4 of 6

1. Macropanesthia rhinoceros: Giant burrowing cockroach - Size: 3 inches long. The giant burrowing cockroach, also called the rhinoceros cockroach, is native to Australia, mainly found in Queensland. They are the heaviest cockroach species, weighing 30-35 grams and measuring 7.5-8 cm long. Unlike other cockroaches, they lack wings and are not pests. They recycle dead leaves and create permanent burrows, digging about 1 meter deep. This species is essential for nutrient recycling in their ecosystem. It is popular in Brisbane and is frequently sold as a pet. Would you be interested in having this bug as a pet?

2. Lucanus cervus: European stag beetle - Size: 3 inches long. The European stag beetle, Lucanus cervus, is a very large beetle, with males typically reaching 3 inches (7.5 cm) in length, including their large mandibles according to the European Stag Beetle Monitoring Network. Females are smaller, generally around 1 to 2 inches (3 to 5 cm). The males' most prominent feature is their large, antler-like mandibles, which they use in battles with other males for mating opportunities. Unfortunately with habitat destruction, this beetle is struggling and it is currently listed as near threatened by the IUCN Red List. While widely distributed across Europe, its population is declining, particularly in the north and central regions, due to habitat loss and the scarcity of dead wood. It's considered endangered in some areas, like Poland. Have you ever been to Poland?