Coppery Tunneler vs Sicardi's Dung Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Coppery Tunneler | Sicardi's Dung Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onthophagus ferox | Helictopleurus sicardi |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 8-13 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Forests |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Africa, introduced to Australia | Madagascar |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Data Deficient |
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.
Sicardi's Dung Beetle
A compact forest dung beetle with a glossy black body and strongly punctured elytra. Males have a small but distinct cephalic horn used in competitive encounters.
Did You Know?
It is part of the ancient Helictopleurus radiation that diverged from continental African dung beetles over 30 million years ago.