Cape Stag Beetle vs Large Tropical Rove Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cape Stag Beetle | Large Tropical Rove Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Colophon westwoodi | Hesperus rufipennis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Lucanidae | Staphylinidae |
| Size | 25-40 mm | 18-25 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Forests |
| Diet | Detritivores | Predators |
| Regions | South Africa (Western Cape mountains only) | West Africa, Central Africa |
| 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.
Large Tropical Rove Beetle
A large, impressive tropical rove beetle with red elytra and a black head and pronotum. It is one of the larger staphylinids in the African tropical forest fauna.
Did You Know?
This beetle can deliver a painful bite with its powerful mandibles if handled carelessly, one of the few rove beetles capable of breaking human skin.