Hockeria Chalcid vs Vacca Dung Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hockeria Chalcid Vacca Dung Beetle
Scientific Name Hockeria unicolor Onthophagus vacca
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Chalcididae Scarabaeidae
Size 4-6 mm 6-12 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Parasitoids Dung Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Hockeria Chalcid

A metallic dark parasitoid wasp that attacks the pupae of noctuid moths in the soil. It is found across Europe in grasslands and open habitats.

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Did You Know?

Females dig into the soil to find and parasitize cutworm moth pupae hidden several centimeters below the surface.

Vacca Dung Beetle

A small coppery-green to bronze tunneler with a broad head and short horns in males. It is a common pasture dung beetle across Europe. The metallic sheen distinguishes it from many congeners.

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Did You Know?

Males with longer horns guard tunnel entrances while hornless males sneak through side tunnels to mate.