Flat-Horned Dung Beetle vs Ruddy Darter

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Flat-Horned Dung Beetle Ruddy Darter
Scientific Name Onthophagus planicornis Sympetrum sanguineum
Order Coleoptera Odonata
Family Scarabaeidae Libellulidae
Size 7-12 mm 34-39mm
Habitat Ponds & Lakes Ponds & Lakes
Diet Dung Feeders Blood Feeders
Regions Sub-Saharan Africa Europe, Asia
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.

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Did You Know?

This species was among those exported to Australia as part of the CSIRO Dung Beetle Project.

Ruddy Darter

A small dragonfly where mature males turn deep blood-red with a distinctly club-shaped abdomen. Females remain golden-yellow. It has entirely black legs unlike similar species.

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Did You Know?

Pairs mate in flight, forming a heart-shaped wheel, then the female flicks eggs onto water while still attached to the male.