biostudies-literatureHarvey DJPeople's Trust for Endangered SpeciesBritish Ecological SocietyBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council6037https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10933271biostudies-literatureUnknown14(1)The iconic European stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) is one of the largest terrestrial beetles in Europe. Due to decreasing population numbers, thought to be a consequence of habitat loss, this beetle has become a near-threatened species across much of Europe, and a reliable monitoring system is required to measure its future population trends. As part of a programme aimed at conserving UK populations, we have investigated the chemical ecology of the beetle, with a view to developing an efficient semiochemical-based monitoring system. Such a scheme will be beneficial not only in the UK but across the European range of the species, where the beetle is of conservation concern. Here, we report on a surprising discovery of a male-produced pheromone, which provokes initial sexual receptivity in females, and which has not been previously identified in the animal kingdom. Furthermore, we assign sex pheromone function to a previously described female-specific compound.Scientific reportsNovel pheromone-mediated reproductive behaviour in the stag beetle, Lucanus cervus.PMC10933271BB/X010953/1BBS/E/RH/230003AWoodcock CMCaulfield JCPickett JAHooper AChapman JWFinch PBirkett MAGange ACHarvey DJVuts JfalseNovel pheromone-mediated reproductive behaviour in the stag beetle, Lucanus cervus.The iconic European stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) is one of the largest terrestrial beetles in Europe. Due to decreasing population numbers, thought to be a consequence of habitat loss, this beetle has become a near-threatened species across much of Europe, and a reliable monitoring system is required to measure its future population trends. As part of a programme aimed at conserving UK populations, we have investigated the chemical ecology of the beetle, with a view to developing an efficient semiochemical-based monitoring system. Such a scheme will be beneficial not only in the UK but across the European range of the species, where the beetle is of conservation concern. Here, we report on a surprising discovery of a male-produced pheromone, which provokes initial sexual receptivity in females, and which has not been previously identified in the animal kingdom. Furthermore, we assign sex pheromone function to a previously described female-specific compound.2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Mar2026-06-26T03:25:09.76Z2026-06-26T03:22:17.626ZS-EPMC109332713847220710.1038/s41598-024-55985-8