Red-bordered Metalmark vs Fluted Cape Stag Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red-bordered Metalmark Fluted Cape Stag Beetle
Scientific Name Caria ino Colophon primosi
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Riodinidae Lucanidae
Size 28-35 mm wingspan 18-28 mm
Habitat Heathland Mountains
Diet Omnivores Omnivores
Regions South Texas through Mexico and Central America South Africa
Conservation Least Concern Endangered

Red-bordered Metalmark

A dark metalmark butterfly with bright red-orange borders along the wing edges and metallic blue-green scaling at the wing bases. It perches with wings spread flat.

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Did You Know?

Males are fiercely territorial, perching on sunlit leaf surfaces and darting out at any passing insect.

Fluted Cape Stag Beetle

A small, flightless, dark brown stag beetle restricted to a single mountain in the Cape region of South Africa. Males have short, broad mandibles with a single inner tooth. It is threatened by illegal collecting and climate change.

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Did You Know?

Illegal collecting of Colophon species for the lucrative insect trade has led to CITES protection for the entire genus.