Digitonthophagus Dung Beetle vs Long-tailed Skipper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Digitonthophagus Dung Beetle Long-tailed Skipper
Scientific Name Digitonthophagus gazella Urbanus proteus
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Hesperiidae
Size 7-14 mm 43-55 mm wingspan
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Dung Feeders Omnivores
Regions Africa, introduced globally to tropical regions Southern United States through Central and South America
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.

Long-tailed Skipper

A striking skipper with iridescent blue-green body and wing bases and long tail-like projections on the hindwings. It is a strong flier and occasional migrant.

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Did You Know?

Known as the bean leaf roller because the caterpillar folds bean leaves into tubular shelters.