Cottonwood Stag Beetle vs Chinese Aquatic Firefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cottonwood Stag Beetle Chinese Aquatic Firefly
Scientific Name Lucanus mazama Aquatica ficta
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Lucanidae Lampyridae
Size 22-35 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Wood Feeders Omnivores
Regions Central and Southern United States China
Conservation Least Concern Vulnerable

Cottonwood Stag Beetle

A medium-sized North American stag beetle found near river bottoms. Males have moderately large mandibles.

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Did You Know?

They are most commonly found near cottonwood and willow trees along river corridors.

Chinese Aquatic Firefly

A firefly with fully aquatic larvae found in streams across southern China. It was the first species placed in the genus Aquatica, erected specifically for water-dwelling lampyrids.

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Did You Know?

Larvae breathe underwater using specialized tracheal gills unique among fireflies.