Bee Chafer vs Pecuarius Onitis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Bee Chafer Pecuarius Onitis
Scientific Name Trichius rosaceus Onitis pecuarius
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Scarabaeidae
Size 9-13mm 12-20 mm
Habitat Gardens Farmland
Diet Pollen Feeders Dung Feeders
Regions Europe Southern Africa, introduced to Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Bee Chafer

A furry bumblebee-mimicking flower beetle with yellow and black bands. Visits roses and other garden flowers.

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Did You Know?

So convincingly mimics a bumblebee that many people refuse to pick it up, believing it will sting.

Pecuarius Onitis

A medium-sized, dark brown to black tunneling dung beetle with strong forelegs. It is a nocturnal species that constructs deep burrows. Successfully introduced to Australia from southern Africa as a dung management agent.

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Did You Know?

In Australia, this beetle became most active during winter months, filling an important seasonal gap in dung burial activity.