Dung Beetle (Rainbow) vs Miniature Water Scavenger Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dung Beetle (Rainbow) Miniature Water Scavenger Beetle
Scientific Name Phanaeus vindex Cercyon laminatus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Hydrophilidae
Size 12-22 mm 2-3 mm
Habitat Farmland Gardens
Diet Dung Feeders Fungus Feeders
Regions North America Europe, North America (introduced)
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.

Miniature Water Scavenger Beetle

A tiny terrestrial hydrophilid often found in compost and decaying plant material. Despite belonging to a water beetle family, it is entirely land-dwelling.

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Did You Know?

It has spread globally through the movement of compost and agricultural products.