Bates' Rosalia vs Green Metallic Tunneler

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bates' Rosalia Green Metallic Tunneler
Scientific Name Rosalia batesi Onitis alexis
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Cerambycidae Scarabaeidae
Size 18-30 mm 14-22 mm
Habitat Forests Farmland
Diet Wood Feeders Dung Feeders
Regions Japan (Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu) Africa, introduced to Australia
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Bates' Rosalia

A rare and beautiful longhorn beetle with pale lavender-grey elytra and contrasting black spots, found in the temperate forests of Japan. It is named after the famous naturalist Henry Walter Bates. Adults appear briefly in midsummer.

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Did You Know?

Despite being the subject of intense collector interest, this species remains poorly studied in the wild.

Green Metallic Tunneler

A medium-sized tunneling dung beetle with a metallic green pronotum and dark brown elytra. Males have an enlarged prothorax. It constructs vertical tunnels beneath cattle dung and is nocturnal.

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Did You Know?

Introduced to Australia in the 1980s, this species was specifically targeted for its ability to handle cattle dung in tropical climates.