Dichotomius Dung Beetle vs Dung Beetle (Rainbow)

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dichotomius Dung Beetle Dung Beetle (Rainbow)
Scientific Name Dichotomius carolinus Phanaeus vindex
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Scarabaeidae
Size 20-30 mm 12-22 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Dung Feeders Dung Feeders
Regions North America (southeastern United States), Central America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Dichotomius Dung Beetle

A large, robust black tunneling dung beetle with a distinctive bifurcate (forked) horn in males. Females have a transverse ridge on the head instead. It is a nocturnal species that excavates deep tunnels under cattle dung.

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Did You Know?

The forked horn gives this genus its name, from the Greek dichotomous meaning divided in two.

Dung Beetle (Rainbow)

One of the most beautiful dung beetles with iridescent metallic copper, green, and blue coloring. Males have a prominent horn. Despite working with dung, they are stunningly beautiful.

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Did You Know?

Rainbow scarab beetles are living proof that working with dung does not mean looking dull — they are among the most brilliantly metallic and colorful of all beetles.