Caenis Glider vs South American Dung Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Caenis Glider South American Dung Beetle
Scientific Name Cymothoe caenis Oxysternon conspicillatum
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Nymphalidae Scarabaeidae
Size 50-65 mm wingspan 15-25 mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Fruit Feeders Dung Feeders
Regions West Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Guinea) Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Caenis Glider

A widespread West African forest butterfly with orange-tawny males and brownish females with white markings. It is commonly found along forest paths and in clearings. The flight is a characteristic slow glide.

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Did You Know?

This is one of the most commonly encountered Cymothoe species and is often the first glider butterfly new visitors to West African forests observe.

South American Dung Beetle

A metallic green and copper dung beetle common in Amazonian forests. Males have a distinctive curved horn on the head.

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Did You Know?

This species buries dung balls at remarkable speed, often out-competing rival beetles within minutes of a fresh dropping.