Flat Oak Borer vs Sand Dune Scarab

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Flat Oak Borer Sand Dune Scarab
Scientific Name Smodicum cucujiforme Pseudocotalpa andrewsi
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Cerambycidae Scarabaeidae
Size 7-12 mm 15-22 mm
Habitat Woodlands Deserts & Drylands
Diet Wood Feeders Root Feeders
Regions Eastern North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Flat Oak Borer

An unusually flat, reddish-brown cerambycid that breeds under the bark of dead oaks in North America. Its flattened body allows it to navigate the tight spaces between bark and sapwood. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights.

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Did You Know?

Its body is so flat that it was originally described as a member of Cucujidae, the flat bark beetle family.

Sand Dune Scarab

A metallic golden-green scarab beetle found only on desert sand dunes. Adults emerge briefly after rains to feed and mate.

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Did You Know?

It can burrow into loose sand in seconds using its broad, shovel-like forelegs.