Blue-winged Rove Beetle vs Flat-Headed Dung Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Blue-winged Rove Beetle | Flat-Headed Dung Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Platydracus chalcocephalus | Paragymnopleurus maurus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 12-17 mm | 12-18 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Farmland |
| Diet | Predators | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern North America | South Asia, Southeast Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Blue-winged Rove Beetle
A handsome rove beetle with a metallic blue-green head and pronotum contrasting with brown elytra. It is found in wooded areas and is a capable flier attracted to lights at night.
Did You Know?
The metallic coloration of its head is produced by nanostructures in the cuticle that interfere with light, similar to how a soap bubble creates colors.
Flat-Headed Dung Beetle
A medium-sized shiny black roller dung beetle with a distinctively flat clypeal margin. It is highly active during the day and rolls dung balls rapidly across open terrain. Common in tropical Asian habitats near cattle.
Did You Know?
When the ground becomes too hot, this beetle climbs on top of its dung ball to cool its feet before continuing to roll.