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Reddish-brown Stag Beetle, a.k.a. Pinching Bug, a.k.a. Common Stag Beetle, Lucanus capreolus, formerly Pseudolucanus capreolus
Prospect Park, 2007-07-10

Beth and I were walking home from the New York Philharmonic in Prospect Park last week after dark when I started noticing what looked like large moths flying around Circle Drive. I snapped a few shots with the flash, and when I got home I confirmed that they weren’t moths at all but large beetles. I haven’t seen them do this before or since. I’m not sure if we hit a mating flight or migration or some other special event, or if the weather was just right that evening. According to Peterson (p. 135), they are attracted to lights like moths.