Cape Stag Beetle vs Bright-eyed Ringlet

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cape Stag Beetle Bright-eyed Ringlet
Scientific Name Colophon westwoodi Erebia oeme
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Lucanidae Nymphalidae
Size 25-40 mm 32-38 mm wingspan
Habitat Mountains Mountains
Diet Detritivores Nectar Feeders
Regions South Africa (Western Cape mountains only) Alps, Carpathians, Balkans
Conservation Endangered Least Concern

Cape Stag Beetle

A rare flightless stag beetle found only on high mountain peaks of the Western Cape. Males have short but robust mandibles.

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Did You Know?

All Colophon species are protected by South African law and CITES due to their extreme rarity and restricted ranges.

Bright-eyed Ringlet

A dark brown ringlet with prominent white-pupiled eyespots. It frequents damp, grassy slopes in subalpine and alpine zones.

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Did You Know?

Its bright eyespots likely serve to startle predatory birds.