Atlas Scarab vs Cone Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Atlas Scarab | Cone Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Scarabaeus atlas | Dorymyrmex insanus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 20-30 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | North Africa, Middle East | Southern United States, Mexico |
| 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.
Cone Ant
A fast-moving reddish-brown ant that builds distinctive cone-shaped crater nests in sandy soil. It is a common competitor with fire ants in open habitats of the southern United States.
Did You Know?
They are one of the few native ant species that can successfully compete with invasive fire ants for territory.