Dung Beetle vs Lily Thrips

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Dung Beetle Lily Thrips
Scientific Name Scarabaeus sacer Liothrips vaneeckei
Order Coleoptera Thysanoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Phlaeothripidae
Size 20-30 mm 1.8-2.5 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Dung Feeders Omnivores
Regions Africa, Europe, Asia Europe, North America, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Dung Beetle

Sacred to ancient Egyptians who associated them with the sun god Ra. They roll balls of dung for food and breeding. Navigate using the Milky Way.

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Did You Know?

Dung beetles are the only known animals to navigate using the Milky Way — they use the band of light to roll their dung balls in a straight line.

Lily Thrips

A dark, stout thrips that damages lily bulbs in storage and in the field. It feeds between bulb scales causing brown sunken spots.

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Did You Know?

Lily thrips can remain hidden deep between bulb scales, making them extremely difficult to detect during inspection.