Ant Nest Beetle vs Gigas Dung Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ant Nest Beetle | Gigas Dung Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paussus favieri | Heliocopris gigas |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Carabidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 5-8mm | 35-55 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Grasslands |
| Diet | Predators | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Africa | West Africa, Central Africa |
| Conservation | Data Deficient | Least Concern |
Ant Nest Beetle
A bizarre reddish-brown beetle with swollen club-shaped antennae that lives inside ant nests. It mimics ant chemical signals to avoid detection.
Did You Know?
It secretes chemicals from its antennae that drug the ants into a stupor allowing it to freely eat their brood.
Gigas Dung Beetle
A massive glossy black tunneling dung beetle with powerful digging forelegs. Males have a broad cephalic horn. This species constructs elaborate underground chambers packed with dung for its larvae.
Did You Know?
The larval chamber is sealed with a clay cap that helps regulate moisture as the larva develops inside the brood ball.