Centaurus Beetle vs European Melittid

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Centaurus Beetle European Melittid
Scientific Name Augosoma centaurus Melitta leporina
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Dynastinae Melittidae
Size 40-90 mm 11-14 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Sap Feeders Pollen Feeders
Regions West Africa, Central Africa Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Centaurus Beetle

The largest rhinoceros beetle in Africa with two prominent horns. Adults have a glossy reddish-brown to black coloration.

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Did You Know?

They are considered pests on oil palm plantations because larvae feed on living palm roots.

European Melittid

A medium-sized oligolectic bee that specializes on legume flowers, particularly alfalfa and clovers. It nests in the ground in sparsely vegetated areas.

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Did You Know?

It is so efficient at collecting clover pollen that a single bee can visit over 1,000 florets in a single foraging trip.