About Paralissotes reticulatus (Westwood, 1844)
Including mandibles, male Paralissotes reticulatus beetles measure 12.7–21.8 mm (0.50–0.86 in) in length, while females range from 13.8 to 21.3 mm. This is a small to medium-sized beetle with a glossy black exoskeleton. The specific epithet 'reticulatus' refers to the reticulate pattern formed by depressed scaly areas and non-scaly areas on the beetle. Its head is widest in the region in front of the eyes. Males and females have mandibles of similar size. Like other species in the Paralissotes genus, this beetle is flightless, even though it retains vestigial wings. P. reticulatus is the most widely distributed species in its genus. It has been collected across a range extending from the Bay of Plenty to South Canterbury, with recent collections also made near Dunedin. It occurs from near sea level up to an altitude of approximately 950 m (3,120 ft). Like other stag beetles, adult P. reticulatus have been found underneath decaying logs of native trees. Larvae develop inside advanced-stage rotting wood. Just like other Paralissotes species, this beetle is most active and mostly seen at night, though it may also be seen during the day in wet conditions.
