Broad-Horned Onitis vs Autumn Aphodius
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Broad-Horned Onitis | Autumn Aphodius |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onitis caffer | Aphodius autumnalis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 16-26 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Grasslands |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Southern Africa | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Broad-Horned Onitis
A large, dark brown to black tunneler with massive forelegs in males. The prothorax is greatly enlarged. It digs deep vertical shafts beneath cattle dung and is primarily nocturnal. Males use their forelegs in combat.
Did You Know?
The enormous forelegs of the male serve double duty, used both for digging and for grappling with rival males.
Autumn Aphodius
A small, dark reddish-brown dweller dung beetle that is most active in autumn. It has a shiny, rounded body with finely punctured elytra. Found predominantly in grasslands grazed by sheep and cattle.
Did You Know?
The seasonal peak of this species in autumn coincides with declining temperatures that reduce competition from summer-active species.