Atlas Scarab vs Chigoe Flea
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Atlas Scarab | Chigoe Flea |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Scarabaeus atlas | Tunga penetrans |
| Order | Coleoptera | Siphonaptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Tungidae |
| Size | 20-30 mm | 1 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | North Africa, Middle East | Africa, South America, Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Atlas Scarab
A large, matte black roller dung beetle with a broad, shield-like head. It is closely related to the sacred scarab and inhabits arid regions. Powerful forelegs enable it to fashion and roll large dung balls.
Did You Know?
In extremely hot conditions, this beetle performs thermal dance behavior, climbing onto its dung ball to cool its body.
Chigoe Flea
A tiny tropical flea whose fertilized females burrow into the skin of the feet, causing painful swelling called tungiasis. It is the smallest known flea.
Did You Know?
The female chigoe flea swells to the size of a pea after burrowing into skin, growing to nearly 100 times her unfed volume.