Larger Grain Borer vs Ivory-Spotted Dung Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Larger Grain Borer Ivory-Spotted Dung Beetle
Scientific Name Prostephanus truncatus Euoniticellus pallipes
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Bostrichidae Scarabaeidae
Size 3-4.5 mm 5-8 mm
Habitat Gardens Farmland
Diet Omnivores Dung Feeders
Regions Africa, Central America Africa, introduced to Australia
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Larger Grain Borer

A devastating pest of stored maize and dried cassava in Africa. It can cause grain weight losses exceeding 30% in untreated stores.

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Did You Know?

A predatory beetle, Teretrius nigrescens, was introduced to Africa as a biological control agent against it.

Ivory-Spotted Dung Beetle

A small, pale brown tunneling dung beetle with ivory-colored legs. Native to Africa, it has been introduced to several countries as a biological control agent. It is especially efficient in warm, dry climates.

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Did You Know?

This tiny beetle can compete with much larger species by arriving first and tunneling quickly beneath fresh dung.