Flat-Horned Dung Beetle vs Devil's Coach Horse
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Flat-Horned Dung Beetle | Devil's Coach Horse |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onthophagus planicornis | Ocypus olens |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Staphylinidae |
| Size | 7-12 mm | 22-32 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Underground |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Sub-Saharan Africa | Europe, introduced to North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Flat-Horned Dung Beetle
A small, dark tunneling dung beetle with laterally flattened horns in major males. Found in tropical Africa, it is a rapid responder to fresh dung. Females construct multiple brood balls in underground chambers.
Did You Know?
This species was among those exported to Australia as part of the CSIRO Dung Beetle Project.
Devil's Coach Horse
A large, matt-black rove beetle that raises its tail like a scorpion when threatened. It has powerful jaws and emits a foul smell.
Did You Know?
In medieval Ireland it was believed to have the power to curse a person it pointed its tail at.