Ipswich is a stronghold for stag beetles. They can sometimes be seen in swarms on June nights.

Stag beetles need dead wood to survive, as it is what their larvae spend from 3-7 years feeding on, specifically oak.

The lack of dead and dying trees in our modern environment is a major problem for many species. Unfortunately, the modern concern for tidying up and a misunderstanding of the value of decaying wood deprives the natural world of a vital component. Dead and decaying wood provides food for many insect larvae, as well as nest holes and hiding places for birds and bats.

To create good conditions for stag beetles, keep dead or dying tree stumps, or plant some oak logs upright 30 cm in the ground.