Bristly Tachinid vs Coppery Tunneler
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bristly Tachinid | Coppery Tunneler |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Epalpus signifer | Onthophagus ferox |
| Order | Diptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Tachinidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 6-10 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Parasites | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Africa, introduced to Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Bristly Tachinid
A bristly gray parasitic fly found across North America. It parasitizes a wide range of caterpillars including armyworms and cutworms.
Did You Know?
Females scatter tiny eggs on foliage, which are then accidentally swallowed by feeding caterpillars.
Coppery Tunneler
A small, coppery-brown tunneling dung beetle native to Africa, now established in Australia. Males have a pair of backward-curving horns. It is active during summer and autumn and is an efficient processor of cattle dung.
Did You Know?
Introduced to Australia in the 1970s, it has become one of the most abundant dung beetles in subtropical Queensland.