Broad-Horned Onitis vs Davies' Colletes

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Broad-Horned Onitis Davies' Colletes
Scientific Name Onitis caffer Colletes daviesanus
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Colletidae
Size 16-26 mm 8-10 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Dung Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Southern Africa Europe, Western Asia
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.

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Did You Know?

The enormous forelegs of the male serve double duty, used both for digging and for grappling with rival males.

Davies' Colletes

A small solitary bee that lines its nest cells with a cellophane-like secretion. It often nests in mortar joints of old walls.

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Did You Know?

Its nest lining is a natural polyester secreted from glands in its abdomen, making cells waterproof.