Sawtooth Stag Beetle yellow and white blooms and Malesia

and Malesia

and various Pacific islands

This exquisite trio of Xylocopa species

belonging to the Pieridae family

and south as far as Congo

Sawtooth Stag Beetle yellow and white blooms and MalesiaLamprima adolphinae is a striking stag beetle found in New Guinea and surrounding islands, belonging to the family Lucanidae. Males are especially eye catching, with iridescent green to golden coloration and elongated, antler like jaws used in territorial battles. Females are smaller and less metallic but equally robust. The larvae develop in rotting wood, helping recycle nutrients in forest ecosystems. Highly prized for its shimmering metallic sheen,