Flightless Dung Beetle vs Red-tailed Flesh Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Flightless Dung Beetle Red-tailed Flesh Fly
Scientific Name Circellium bacchus Sarcophaga haemorrhoidalis
Order Coleoptera Diptera
Family Scarabaeidae Sarcophagidae
Size 35-47 mm 10-14 mm
Habitat Hedgerows Underground
Diet Dung Feeders Dung Feeders
Regions South Africa Worldwide
Conservation Vulnerable Least Concern

Flightless Dung Beetle

The largest flightless dung beetle in the world, endemic to South Africa. It is now restricted to a few remaining habitat patches in the Eastern Cape.

💡

Did You Know?

It is the only species in its genus and relies entirely on walking to find dung.

Red-tailed Flesh Fly

A large gray flesh fly with a distinctive red-tipped abdomen. It deposits live larvae on meat, wounds, and feces.

💡

Did You Know?

Unlike most flies, females give birth to live larvae rather than laying eggs.