Cape Stag Beetle vs Hop-Garden Earwig
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cape Stag Beetle | Hop-Garden Earwig |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Colophon westwoodi | Forficula lesnei |
| Order | Coleoptera | Dermaptera |
| Family | Lucanidae | Forficulidae |
| Size | 25-40 mm | 9-13 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Gardens |
| Diet | Detritivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | South Africa (Western Cape mountains only) | Europe |
| 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.
Did You Know?
All Colophon species are protected by South African law and CITES due to their extreme rarity and restricted ranges.
Hop-Garden Earwig
A small earwig closely related to the European earwig but distinguished by its shorter wing cases. It is found in southern European gardens and orchards.
Did You Know?
This species was long confused with the European earwig and was only recognized as distinct in the early twentieth century.