Broad-Toothed Scarab vs Mormon Metalmark

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Broad-Toothed Scarab Mormon Metalmark
Scientific Name Scarabaeus laticollis Apodemia mormo
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Riodinidae
Size 15-22 mm 22-30 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Dung Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Southern Europe, North Africa Western North America from Canada to Mexico
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern (species); some subspecies criticall

Broad-Toothed Scarab

A medium-sized, glossy black roller dung beetle with a broad pronotum and strong clypeal teeth. Common across Mediterranean regions, it rolls balls from sheep and goat dung. Most active in afternoon heat.

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Did You Know?

In ancient Greece, this species was likely confused with the sacred scarab and may have inspired some mythological accounts.

Mormon Metalmark

A small butterfly with dark brown wings covered in white spots arranged in irregular bands. Several of its subspecies are critically endangered.

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Did You Know?

The Lange's metalmark subspecies, restricted to a single sand dune in California, is one of the rarest butterflies in the world.