Cottonwood Borer vs Amazonian Stag Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cottonwood Borer Amazonian Stag Beetle
Scientific Name Plectrodera scalator Sphaenognathus feisthameli
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Cerambycidae Lucanidae
Size 25-40 mm 25-55 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Forests
Diet Root Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Central and eastern United States Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Cottonwood Borer

A large longhorn beetle with bold black and white patterning and long antennae. Its larvae bore into the roots and lower trunks of cottonwood and willow trees.

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Did You Know?

When handled, it produces a loud squeaking sound by rubbing parts of its thorax together.

Amazonian Stag Beetle

A striking metallic green stag beetle from South American cloud forests. Males have elongated mandibles with tooth-like projections.

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Did You Know?

Its brilliant metallic green coloration is caused by microscopic structures in the exoskeleton rather than pigments.