Giant Darkling Beetle of St. Helena vs Spanish Copris

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Darkling Beetle of St. Helena Spanish Copris
Scientific Name Hegeter politus Copris hispanus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Tenebrionidae Scarabaeidae
Size 1.5-2.5 cm 18-27mm
Habitat Heathland Farmland
Diet Detritivores Dung Feeders
Regions St. Helena Europe
Conservation Endangered Near Threatened

Giant Darkling Beetle of St. Helena

A darkling beetle endemic to the remote island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic. It is nocturnal and hides under stones during the day.

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Did You Know?

St. Helena has over 400 endemic invertebrate species, many of which are found nowhere else.

Spanish Copris

A large shiny black dung beetle with a single curved horn on the males head. It constructs elaborate underground brood chambers beneath dung pats.

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Did You Know?

Both parents cooperate to sculpt perfectly round dung balls in underground chambers and guard them until the larvae pupate.