Scarce Stag Beetle vs Western Firefly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Scarce Stag Beetle Western Firefly
Scientific Name Platycerus caraboides Microphotus angustus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Lucanidae Lampyridae
Size 9-13mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Woodlands Deserts & Drylands
Diet Wood Feeders Omnivores
Regions Europe North America
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Scarce Stag Beetle

A small metallic blue-black stag beetle with modest mandibles. It develops in red-rotten beech wood.

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Did You Know?

Despite being called scarce it is actually fairly common but overlooked due to its small size and dark coloring.

Western Firefly

A rare western North American firefly with larviform females that glow. Males are winged but produce no light.

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Did You Know?

It is one of very few firefly species found west of the Rocky Mountains, where most people believe fireflies do not exist.