African Jewel Beetle vs Femoralis Dung Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Jewel Beetle Femoralis Dung Beetle
Scientific Name Sternocera orissa Pachylomerus femoralis
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Buprestidae Scarabaeidae
Size 30-50 mm 40-60 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Wood Feeders Dung Feeders
Regions East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia) Southern Africa, East Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

African Jewel Beetle

A large metallic green and gold jewel beetle with textured elytra. Adults are found on acacia and other savanna trees.

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Did You Know?

Their wing cases have been used for centuries in traditional African and Asian jewelry and textile decoration.

Femoralis Dung Beetle

The largest African roller dung beetle, with a stout black body and massively thickened hind femora. It can roll dung balls several times its own weight across rough terrain. The enlarged legs give it exceptional leverage for ball rolling.

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Did You Know?

Its hind femora are so thick and muscular that early entomologists initially thought the species was deformed.