Helm's Stag Beetle vs Northern Black Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Helm's Stag Beetle | Northern Black Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Geodorcus helmsi | Simulium venustum |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Lucanidae | Simuliidae |
| Size | 25-40 mm | 2-4 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand - South Island) | North America |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Helm's Stag Beetle
An endemic New Zealand stag beetle found in the forests of the South Island. Males have enlarged mandibles used in fighting. It is a large, flightless beetle that lives in rotting logs in native bush. Several Geodorcus species are found only in New Zealand.
Did You Know?
New Zealand stag beetles are flightless, having lost their ability to fly in the absence of land mammal predators over millions of years of island evolution.
Northern Black Fly
A common biting black fly of northern forests and boreal streams. Larvae form dense colonies on submerged rocks in cold flowing water.
Did You Know?
Females can detect carbon dioxide exhaled by hosts from over 20 meters away.