Alfalfa Weevil Parasitoid vs Coppery Tunneler
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Alfalfa Weevil Parasitoid | Coppery Tunneler |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bathyplectes curculionis | Onthophagus ferox |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Ichneumonidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 2-4 mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North America | Africa, introduced to Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Alfalfa Weevil Parasitoid
A small parasitoid wasp that attacks alfalfa weevil larvae in North America. It was introduced from Europe as a classical biological control agent.
Did You Know?
This wasp reduced alfalfa weevil populations by over 75% in some areas after its introduction.
Coppery Tunneler
A small, coppery-brown tunneling dung beetle native to Africa, now established in Australia. Males have a pair of backward-curving horns. It is active during summer and autumn and is an efficient processor of cattle dung.
Did You Know?
Introduced to Australia in the 1970s, it has become one of the most abundant dung beetles in subtropical Queensland.