Malagasy Dung Beetle vs Police Car Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Malagasy Dung Beetle Police Car Swallowtail
Scientific Name Helictopleurus neoamplicollis Graphium policenes
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Papilionidae
Size 10-16 mm 60-75 mm wingspan
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Dung Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Madagascar West and Central Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, DRC, Ivory Coast)
Conservation Vulnerable Least Concern

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.

Police Car Swallowtail

A striking swallowtail butterfly with black wings covered in small pale green spots resembling a police car's livery. It has short hindwing tails and a rapid, darting flight. Common in forest areas throughout its range.

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Did You Know?

Its common name comes from the black-and-white spotted pattern that was thought to resemble early police vehicles.