Simsons Stag Beetle

Habitat

• Habitat’ refers to both known habitat for the species (i.e. in or near habitat where the species has been recorded) and potential habitat (i.e. areas of habitat with appropriate characteristics for the species and within the species potential range which have not yet been surveyed).
• If in doubt about whether a site represents potential habitat for this species, contact the Threatened Species Section for further advice.
• The known range of Simsons Stag Beetle includes a small area of native forest in north-eastern Tasmania centred on the Blue Tier. The potential range of the species is unlikely to extend more than a few kilometres beyond its known range, as much of its known range is surrounded by unsuitable habitat (e.g. dry eucalypt forest, altitudinal barriers).
• Note that the ranges of the three threatened species of Hoplogmus (Bornemisszas Stag Beetle, Simsons Stage Beetle H. simsoni, and Vandershoors Stag Beetle H. vanderschoori) occur in the same area of north-eastern Tasmania, and there is no overlap in the distribution of the three species.
• Habitat for Simsons Stag Beetle corresponds to ‘wet forest' in the NRE Bushcare Toolkit. See Eucalypt Bush in the ​Bushcare Toolkit​​​ for more information on managing this vegetation type.
• Habitat for Simsons Stag Beetle includes the following elements: mature wet eucalypt forest, damp forest, rainforest and mixed forest with a deep layer of accumulated leaf litter.

Things to avoid

• Conversion of habitat (e.g. to plantation or pasture/cropping land)
• Uncontrolled access by stock to habitat
• High intensity burns in areas of habitat
• Firewood collection in areas of habitat

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• Simsons Stag Beetle can be surveyed by searching for adult animals and fragments of dead adult beetles. See the Forest Practices Authority Fauna Technical Note No. 11: Method for surveying for Hoplogonus stag beetle species for more information on surveying for this species.
• Simsons Stag Beetle is distinguished from the other threatened Hoplogonus species (Bornemisszas Stag Beetle and Vanderschoors Stag Beetle) by the shape of the male mandibles and head.
• For assistance in identifying stag beetles, contact the Threatened Species Section.

• ​In order to recognise the species if it occurs on your property, learn to identify Simsons Stag Beetle. If in doubt, seek expert assistance with identification.
• If you live or work in the area where the species occurs (see distribution map, above), look out for and record any observations of the species. All records of this species can provide important information on distribution and abundance
• If you are interested in knowing for certain whether the species occurs on your land, organise a formal survey. You may need to employ an ecological consultant to do this. Your local Bushcare or Field Naturalist club may be able to assist you with a survey.
• Important! Always report any observations of the species to the NRE Natural Values Atlas, or else provide the data direct to the Threatened Species Section. Records stored on the NVA are a permanent record and are accessible to other people interested in this species.
• Consider the needs of the whole habitat. Preserving a threatened species' habitat is the best way to manage both the species and the environment in which it lives.
• Habitat for Simsons Stag Beetle corresponds to ‘wet forest' in the NRE Bushcare Toolkit. See Eucalypt Bush in the ​​Bushcare Toolkit​​ for more information on managing this vegetation type.
• For long-term protection of populations on private land – consider protection of habitat through a vegetation management agreement or conservation covenant.

• To prevent permanent loss of habitat - avoid conversion of habitat (e.g. to plantation or pasture/cropping land).

Stock trampling

• Uncontrolled access by stock to areas of forest habitat can lead to degradation of the leaf litter habitat for this species through compaction of the leaf litter and soil.
• To prevent degradation of habitat through compaction of leaf litter and soil - avoid uncontrolled access by stock to areas of habitat.

• ​Simsons Stag Beetle can be affected by any activity (including fire) that opens the forest canopy leading to exposure of the leaf litter to sunlight and dehydration of habitat, which may in turn lead to greater predation by species such as currawongs and quolls.

• To prevent opening up the canopy and dehydration of leaf litter habitat - avoid high intensity burns in areas of habitat.

• The burning of forest habitat also has the effect of removing accumulated coarse woody debris (dead twigs, larger branches and rotting logs) and leaf litter from the forest floor, which can take many years to re-accumulate. A deep layer of leaf litter and accumulated coarse woody debris is vital to the survival of this species.

• To prevent loss of coarse woody debris and leaf litter - avoid high intensity burns in areas of habitat.

Firewood collection

• Simsons Stag Beetle can be affected by any activity (including removal of standing dead trees for firewood) that opens the forest canopy leading to exposure of the leaf litter to sunlight and dehydration of habitat, which may in turn lead to greater predation by species such as currawongs and quolls.
• To prevent opening up the canopy and dehydration of leaf litter habitat - avoid removal of dead trees for firewood in areas of habitat.
• A deep, moist layer of leaf litter and accumulated coarse woody debris is vital to the survival of this species. Removal of dead branches, logs and other coarse woody debris for firewood leads to direct loss of habitat and exposure of the leaf litter to dehydration.
• To prevent loss of coarse woody debris and dehydration of leaf litter habitat - avoid removal of coarse woody debris (dead branches and logs) for firewood in areas of habitat.

​Conservation Advice​