Horn-headed Rove Beetle vs Four-spotted Dung Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Horn-headed Rove Beetle | Four-spotted Dung Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bledius tricornis | Helictopleurus quadripunctatus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 12-18 mm |
| Habitat | Rivers & Streams | Farmland |
| Diet | Seed Feeders | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Central Asia | Madagascar |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Horn-headed Rove Beetle
A small rove beetle in which males bear three horn-like projections on the head, used in combat for burrow ownership. It is a specialist of sandy riparian habitats near rivers and lakes.
Did You Know?
Males with larger horns win more contests for burrow ownership, but hornless 'sneaker' males can also mate by entering burrows when the resident male is absent.
Four-spotted Dung Beetle
A medium-sized dung beetle with four distinctive pale spots on its dark elytra. It is one of the few Helictopleurus species that has adapted to open habitats alongside cattle.
Did You Know?
It is one of only five Helictopleurus species that have successfully shifted from forest-dwelling lemur dung specialist to open-habitat cattle dung feeder.