Meadow Brown vs Femoralis Dung Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Meadow Brown Femoralis Dung Beetle
Scientific Name Maniola jurtina Pachylomerus femoralis
Order Lepidoptera Coleoptera
Family Nymphalidae Scarabaeidae
Size Wingspan 40-55mm 40-60 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Herbivores Dung Feeders
Regions Europe Southern Africa, East Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Meadow Brown

The most abundant butterfly in Britain, a brown species with a single eyespot on each forewing.

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Did You Know?

So common it is often overlooked but plays a crucial role as a pollinator of wildflowers in grasslands.

Femoralis Dung Beetle

The largest African roller dung beetle, with a stout black body and massively thickened hind femora. It can roll dung balls several times its own weight across rough terrain. The enlarged legs give it exceptional leverage for ball rolling.

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Did You Know?

Its hind femora are so thick and muscular that early entomologists initially thought the species was deformed.