Lucanus Larval Key?

[entomo-logic]

I was curious if there was any Luanus larval keys, or if anyone had any tips to tell Lucanus elaphus from Lucanus capreolus? I found both species at Indian Cave State Park, in South Eastern Nebraska, this summer while black lighting. I also spent 3 days in the park looking for larva and found 20 larva in a log along a female Lucanus of one of the above species. They larva were about the size of a nickle when I found them and are now approaching 50 cent piece size.

Waiting for them to pupate and eclose is Killing me.

Also any good tips on How to tell the females apart?

Thanks,

Tony

 

[Lucanus]

I am not sure about the difference between male larvae but female Lucanus elaphus larvae have really small head capsule compare to L. capreolus.

 

[Ryan Minard]

Can someone provide pictures of them next to each other, in the same lighting?