Digitonthophagus Dung Beetle vs Rosette Gall Midge

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Digitonthophagus Dung Beetle Rosette Gall Midge
Scientific Name Digitonthophagus gazella Dasineura urticae
Order Coleoptera Diptera
Family Scarabaeidae Cecidomyiidae
Size 7-14 mm 1.5-2.5 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Dung Feeders Gall Makers
Regions Africa, introduced globally to tropical regions Europe
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.

Rosette Gall Midge

A tiny midge that causes distinctive rosette galls on the tips of stinging nettles. The growing tip is stunted and swollen. Very common wherever nettles grow.

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Did You Know?

The distinctive bunched rosette galls on nettle tips are so common that most people have seen them without knowing the cause.