Horned Dung Beetle vs Sonoran Blue
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Horned Dung Beetle | Sonoran Blue |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onthophagus taurus | Philotes sonorensis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Lycaenidae |
| Size | 8-11 mm | 18-22 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, North America (introduced) | Western North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Horned Dung Beetle
The strongest insect on Earth relative to body size — can pull 1,141 times its own body weight. Males have curved horns used in underground tunnel combat for mating rights.
Did You Know?
This beetle can pull 1,141 times its body weight — equivalent to a human pulling six double-decker buses. Its strength evolved from intense male-male combat in dung tunnels.
Sonoran Blue
Tiny blue butterfly with orange and black hindwing spots. One of the earliest-flying butterflies of the year in the American West.
Did You Know?
Adults fly as early as February, when few other butterflies are active in their range.