Cantharolethrus steinheili

Description

Cantharolethrus steinheili is a beetle that belongs to the family of deer beetles (Lucanidae) in the group Scarabae (Scarabaeoidea). A large (30-57 millimeters), relatively slender, shiny black deer beetle. They are among the largest deer beetles in South America, which lack huge species within this group. The male's jaws (mandibles) are powerful, band-shaped, evenly curved, with three pointed teeth near the tip. The antennae are strikingly long and thin, without a clear fan at the tip. The head has a sloping radiator on the sides and is broadly U-shaped indented in the middle. Pronotum is trapezoidal with protruding posterior corners. The female is much smaller than the male, dull, without enlarged jaws. Head and forelegs are rather gnarled, head almost square. The larvae develop in rotten tree trunks.The species is widespread from Colombia in the north to Peru in the south.