African Rhinoceros Beetle vs Plain-faced Dronefly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Rhinoceros Beetle | Plain-faced Dronefly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oryctes boas | Eristalis arbustorum |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 35-55 mm | 9-11 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Gardens |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | West Africa, Central Africa | Europe, North America, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
African Rhinoceros Beetle
A large dark brown dynastine beetle with a prominent recurved horn on the male's head. Larvae develop in decaying palm trunks and compost.
Did You Know?
Males use their horns to pry rivals out of feeding holes on palm trees in fierce pushing contests.
Plain-faced Dronefly
A small, dark dronefly with a distinctive bare facial stripe. It is one of the most common hoverflies visiting garden flowers in summer.
Did You Know?
It can be distinguished from other droneflies by the shiny, hairless stripe down the center of its face.