Malagasy Dung Beetle vs Westwood's Leaf Insect

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Malagasy Dung Beetle Westwood's Leaf Insect
Scientific Name Helictopleurus neoamplicollis Cryptophyllium westwoodii
Order Coleoptera Phasmatodea
Family Scarabaeidae Phylliidae
Size 10-16 mm 8-10 cm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Dung Feeders Herbivores
Regions Madagascar Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia
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.

Westwood's Leaf Insect

A large leaf insect named after the entomologist John Obadiah Westwood. Females are broad and bright green, mimicking fresh leaves.

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Did You Know?

Nymphs are reddish-brown when they hatch, mimicking dead leaves before turning green as they mature.