Samoan Rhinoceros Beetle vs West African Lantern Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Samoan Rhinoceros Beetle | West African Lantern Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Scapanes australis | Zanna tenebrosa |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Fulgoridae |
| Size | 40-70 mm | 50-70 mm including head process |
| Habitat | Farmland | Forests |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | Oceania (Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa) | West and Central Africa (Cameroon, Gabon, DRC, Nigeria) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Samoan Rhinoceros Beetle
A large rhinoceros beetle found in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and parts of Samoa. Males have a large forked horn on the head. It is associated with palm trees and is attracted to fermenting coconut sap.
Did You Know?
Males use their forked head horn to pry rival males off tree trunks during battles over feeding and mating sites.
West African Lantern Bug
A large planthopper with an elongated head process and colorful wings. The forewings are cryptically patterned while the hindwings display bright colors when spread. Despite its name, it does not produce light.
Did You Know?
The enlarged head process was once thought to glow in the dark, giving this group its misleading common name of lantern bugs.