Femoralis Dung Beetle vs Dung Beetle Navigator

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Femoralis Dung Beetle Dung Beetle Navigator
Scientific Name Pachylomerus femoralis Scarabaeus lamarcki
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Scarabaeidae
Size 40-60 mm 20-30 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Dung Feeders Dung Feeders
Regions Southern Africa, East Africa Southern Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Femoralis Dung Beetle

The largest African roller dung beetle, with a stout black body and massively thickened hind femora. It can roll dung balls several times its own weight across rough terrain. The enlarged legs give it exceptional leverage for ball rolling.

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Did You Know?

Its hind femora are so thick and muscular that early entomologists initially thought the species was deformed.

Dung Beetle Navigator

A medium-sized dung beetle from South Africa that navigates using celestial cues. It has been a key species in understanding insect navigation.

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Did You Know?

It is the first animal proven to use the Milky Way as a navigational aid for orientation.