Dung Beetle (Rainbow) vs African Diving Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dung Beetle (Rainbow) African Diving Beetle
Scientific Name Phanaeus vindex Cybister tripunctatus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Dytiscidae
Size 12-22 mm 25-35 mm
Habitat Farmland Ponds & Lakes
Diet Dung Feeders Omnivores
Regions North America Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

African Diving Beetle

A large diving beetle widespread across Africa and southern Asia. It is one of the most common large aquatic beetles in tropical fresh waters.

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Did You Know?

In parts of Southeast Asia it is collected and eaten as a crunchy protein-rich snack.