Helm's Stag Beetle vs Samoan Swallowtail
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Helm's Stag Beetle | Samoan Swallowtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Geodorcus helmsi | Papilio godeffroyi |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Lucanidae | Papilionidae |
| Size | 25-40 mm | 70-90 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania (New Zealand - South Island) | Oceania (Samoa) |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Endangered |
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.
Samoan Swallowtail
A rare and beautiful swallowtail butterfly endemic to Samoa. It has dark wings with pale markings and is found in native forest. It is considered one of the rarest butterflies in the Pacific Islands.
Did You Know?
This is one of the most isolated swallowtail butterflies in the world, found only on the small islands of Samoa far from any other Papilio population.