Kauai Flightless Stag Beetle vs Australian Scorpionfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Kauai Flightless Stag Beetle Australian Scorpionfly
Scientific Name Apterocyclus honoluluensis Harpobittacus australis
Order Coleoptera Mecoptera
Family Lucanidae Bittacidae
Size 1.5-3 cm 18-22 mm
Habitat Mountains Woodlands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions United States Oceania
Conservation Endangered Least Concern

Kauai Flightless Stag Beetle

A flightless stag beetle endemic to the island of Kauai in Hawaii. Larvae develop in rotting logs of native trees.

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Did You Know?

It is the only stag beetle in Hawaii and has completely lost its ability to fly.

Australian Scorpionfly

An Australian hangingfly that suspends itself from vegetation and catches prey with its raptorial hind legs. Males present captured prey to females as nuptial gifts.

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Did You Know?

Female Australian scorpionflies assess nuptial gifts by tasting the prey — if it is nutritionally poor, they reject the male and fly away.