Colorado Potato Beetle vs South American Dung Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Colorado Potato Beetle South American Dung Beetle
Scientific Name Leptinotarsa decemlineata Oxysternon conspicillatum
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Scarabaeidae
Size 6-11 mm 15-25 mm
Habitat Farmland Forests
Diet Herbivores Dung Feeders
Regions North America, Europe, Asia Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Colorado Potato Beetle

A major agricultural pest with yellow-orange elytra bearing ten black longitudinal stripes. Has developed resistance to over 50 different insecticides.

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Did You Know?

The Colorado potato beetle has evolved resistance to every major class of insecticide, making it one of the most adaptable pests in agricultural history.

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.