Philippine Stag Beetle vs Rugose Carrion Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Philippine Stag Beetle Rugose Carrion Beetle
Scientific Name Cyclommatus elaphus Thanatophilus rugosus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Lucanidae Silphidae
Size 50-110 mm including mandibles 9-12 mm
Habitat Mountains Farmland
Diet Wood Feeders Carrion Feeders
Regions Southeast Asia (Philippines, Mindanao, Leyte) Europe, Northern Asia, North America
Conservation Data Deficient Least Concern

Philippine Stag Beetle

A striking stag beetle with enormously elongated curved mandibles in males that can exceed the body length. The body has a coppery to dark brown metallic sheen with amber-tinged elytra.

💡

Did You Know?

The mandibles of large males are so long and curved that they are nearly useless for actual combat and serve primarily as visual displays.

Rugose Carrion Beetle

A small, dark silphid with heavily textured, rugose wing cases. It frequents sun-exposed carrion in open landscapes.

💡

Did You Know?

Females lay eggs on carcasses already infested with fly larvae, and their own larvae then feed on the maggots.