Cape Stag Beetle vs Plum Curculio
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cape Stag Beetle | Plum Curculio |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Colophon westwoodi | Conotrachelus nenuphar |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Lucanidae | Curculionidae |
| Size | 25-40 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Orchards |
| Diet | Detritivores | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | South Africa (Western Cape mountains only) | Eastern North America from Canada to the Gulf states |
| 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.
Plum Curculio
A dark brown snout beetle covered in warty bumps that is a major pest of stone fruits. Females carve a crescent-shaped scar around each egg they lay in developing fruit.
Did You Know?
The distinctive crescent-shaped scar it cuts around each egg prevents the growing fruit from crushing the larva inside.