Jewel Beetle vs Malagasy Dung Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Jewel Beetle Malagasy Dung Beetle
Scientific Name Chrysochroa fulgidissima Helictopleurus neoamplicollis
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Buprestidae Scarabaeidae
Size 30-41 mm 10-16 mm
Habitat Woodlands Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Dung Feeders
Regions Asia Madagascar
Conservation Least Concern Vulnerable

Jewel Beetle

Prized for its iridescent metallic green and red-gold elytra. Used in traditional Japanese art called Tamamushi. The colors come from multilayer reflectors in their shell.

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Did You Know?

The jewel beetle can detect forest fires from 80 km away using infrared sensors on its thorax, as it lays eggs in freshly burned wood.

Malagasy Dung Beetle

A medium-sized, dark-bodied tunneling dung beetle endemic to Madagascar. Males have pronotal ridges. It processes lemur and tenrec dung in the island's unique forests. Threatened by deforestation of Madagascar's remaining forests.

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Did You Know?

The dung beetles of Madagascar evolved in isolation and many species are found nowhere else on Earth.