Coppery Tunneler vs Melon Thrips
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Coppery Tunneler | Melon Thrips |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onthophagus ferox | Thrips palmi |
| Order | Coleoptera | Thysanoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Thripidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 1.0-1.3 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Africa, introduced to Australia | Asia, Oceania, North America, South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Coppery Tunneler
A small, coppery-brown tunneling dung beetle native to Africa, now established in Australia. Males have a pair of backward-curving horns. It is active during summer and autumn and is an efficient processor of cattle dung.
Did You Know?
Introduced to Australia in the 1970s, it has become one of the most abundant dung beetles in subtropical Queensland.
Melon Thrips
A pale yellow thrips and serious pest of cucurbits and solanaceous crops. It is a quarantine pest in many countries.
Did You Know?
Melon thrips is listed as a quarantine pest in the European Union due to its destructive potential.