Green Metallic Tunneler vs Smooth Hister Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Green Metallic Tunneler | Smooth Hister Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onitis alexis | Margarinotus striola |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Histeridae |
| Size | 14-22 mm | 4-6 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Indoors |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Africa, introduced to Australia | Europe, North Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Green Metallic Tunneler
A medium-sized tunneling dung beetle with a metallic green pronotum and dark brown elytra. Males have an enlarged prothorax. It constructs vertical tunnels beneath cattle dung and is nocturnal.
Did You Know?
Introduced to Australia in the 1980s, this species was specifically targeted for its ability to handle cattle dung in tropical climates.
Smooth Hister Beetle
A compact, highly polished black beetle with fine elytral striations. It is one of the most common dung-dwelling hister beetles in Europe.
Did You Know?
Its almost mirror-like surface is so smooth that dung and debris slide off its body, keeping it permanently clean.