For how many years, sometimes more, can stag beetle larvae consume decaying material underground or within rotting timber?
Answer
Up to five or more years
The larval stage, consisting of the grubs, represents a significant portion of the stag beetle's life cycle, requiring an extended period for development due to their diet of dense, decaying wood. The consumption of this material within the underground root systems or rotting timber often lasts for several years. Specifically, the period mentioned for this developmental stage can extend up to five years or even longer, depending on environmental factors and the nutritional quality of the decomposing hardwood substrate available to them. This long duration emphasizes why sustained availability of large deadwood structures is crucial for population stability.
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