Elongate Paederine vs Ruby-Legged Dung Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Elongate Paederine Ruby-Legged Dung Beetle
Scientific Name Lathrobium elongatum Onthophagus medius
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Staphylinidae Scarabaeidae
Size 7-9 mm 6-10 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Grasslands
Diet Root Feeders Dung Feeders
Regions Europe Africa, South Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Elongate Paederine

A very slender, reddish-brown paederine rove beetle that lives deep within waterlogged soils near streams. Its extremely narrow body is adapted for burrowing through saturated soil.

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Did You Know?

This beetle can survive prolonged submersion in water, breathing through a plastron of air trapped by microscopic hairs on its body surface.

Ruby-Legged Dung Beetle

A small, dark bronze tunneling dung beetle with reddish-brown legs found in parts of Africa and Asia. Males have a pair of short horns. It is commonly found in cattle pastures and plays a role in parasite control.

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Did You Know?

By burying dung, this beetle reduces habitat for parasitic flies that affect livestock health.