Asiatic Rice Borer vs Variable Dung Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Asiatic Rice Borer Variable Dung Beetle
Scientific Name Chilo suppressalis Onthophagus fracticornis
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Crambidae Scarabaeidae
Size 20-28 mm wingspan 5-9 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Omnivores Dung Feeders
Regions Asia, Southern Europe Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Asiatic Rice Borer

A major pest of rice across Asia, where larvae bore into tillers and stems. Heavy infestations cause whiteheads and significant yield losses.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the target pests for Bt rice varieties currently under development in China.

Variable Dung Beetle

A small, highly variable tunneling dung beetle found across Europe. Coloration ranges from pale brown to nearly black with various mottled patterns. Males have a small bent horn, giving the species its name.

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Did You Know?

The extreme color variation in this species once led taxonomists to describe multiple color forms as separate species.