Digitonthophagus Dung Beetle vs Central American Glowworm Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Digitonthophagus Dung Beetle Central American Glowworm Beetle
Scientific Name Digitonthophagus gazella Phengodes hidalgoensis
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Phengodidae
Size 7-14 mm 10-15 mm
Habitat Farmland Mountains
Diet Dung Feeders Predators
Regions Africa, introduced globally to tropical regions North America, Mexico
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Digitonthophagus Dung Beetle

A small to medium, tan to brown tunneling dung beetle originally from Africa, now among the most widely distributed dung beetles globally. Males have two short conical horns. It is an extremely efficient cattle dung processor.

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Did You Know?

This species has been introduced to more countries than any other dung beetle and is now found on every inhabited continent.

Central American Glowworm Beetle

A Mexican glowworm beetle with males possessing large feathery antennae and short elytra. The larviform females produce greenish-yellow bioluminescence from lateral light organs.

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Did You Know?

Phengodidae are found only in the New World, from southern Canada to South America, making them a uniquely American family.