Glacial Stonefly vs Cape Stag Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Glacial Stonefly | Cape Stag Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Leuctra alpina | Colophon westwoodi |
| Order | Plecoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Leuctridae | Lucanidae |
| Size | 6-9 mm body length | 25-40 mm |
| Habitat | Mountains | Mountains |
| Diet | Detritivores | Detritivores |
| Regions | Alps, Pyrenees | South Africa (Western Cape mountains only) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
Glacial Stonefly
A small, slender stonefly found in the coldest alpine headwater streams. Its needle-like wings are rolled tightly around its body at rest.
Did You Know?
Its rolled-wing resting posture gives the family its common name of needle flies.
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.