Coppery Tunneler vs Spur-throated Locust
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Coppery Tunneler | Spur-throated Locust |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onthophagus ferox | Austracris guttulosa |
| Order | Coleoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Acrididae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 50-75 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Africa, introduced to Australia | Australia, Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Spur-throated Locust
A large Australian locust named for the distinctive spur on its throat. It is a major agricultural pest in northern and eastern Australia, particularly damaging to sorghum and other grain crops.
Did You Know?
Unlike the plague locust, spur-throated locusts are primarily solitary but can form dense bands when conditions are favourable.