Igneus Rainbow Scarab vs New Zealand Sand Scarab
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Igneus Rainbow Scarab | New Zealand Sand Scarab |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phanaeus igneus | Pericoptus truncatus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 12-20 mm | 20-30 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Southeastern North America | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Igneus Rainbow Scarab
A brilliantly metallic green, blue, and red tunneling dung beetle of the southeastern United States. Males have a long, slender horn on the head. It tunnels beneath dung on sandy soils in pine forests.
Did You Know?
The fiery metallic colors that give it the name igneus make it one of the most colorful beetles in North America.
New Zealand Sand Scarab
A large flightless scarab beetle endemic to sandy coastal habitats in New Zealand. It is nocturnal and burrows in sand dunes during the day. Once common on beaches, it has become increasingly rare due to habitat modification and introduced predators.
Did You Know?
This beetle was once so common on beaches that Maori used it as fish bait, but predation by introduced rodents has severely reduced its numbers.