Parandrine
Guides
Parandra polita
Parandra polita is an unusual longhorned beetle belonging to the archaic subfamily Parandrinae. It exhibits a remarkable convergence with stag beetles (family Lucanidae) in appearance, featuring chestnut-brown coloration and large, forward-projecting mandibles. The species is uncommon and poorly known, with most records coming from blacklight collections in wet bottomland forests. It is one of only four parandrine taxa in North America and can be distinguished from the similar Neandra brunnea by its contiguous triangular mandibles and entire (non-emarginate) eyes.