Australian Horned Dung Beetle vs Blue-Winged Wasteland Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Australian Horned Dung Beetle | Blue-Winged Wasteland Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onthophagus australis | Omocrates marginatus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Tenebrionidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 18-25 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Detritivores |
| Regions | Australia | Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Australian Horned Dung Beetle
A small brown tunneling dung beetle native to Australia with minor horns in males. It was one of the first dung beetle species studied in early Australian biological control programs. It excavates tunnels beneath cow pats.
Did You Know?
Australia imported dozens of dung beetle species to deal with cattle dung that native beetles could not process.
Blue-Winged Wasteland Beetle
A robust, flightless darkling beetle found in arid Australian landscapes. It is nocturnal and shelters under rocks during the day.
Did You Know?
Like many Australian darkling beetles, it has fused elytra forming a sealed dome over its abdomen.