Minotaur Beetle vs New Zealand Giant Centipede
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Minotaur Beetle | New Zealand Giant Centipede |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Typhaeus typhoeus | Cormocephalus rubriceps |
| Order | Coleoptera | Scolopendromorpha |
| Family | Geotrupidae | Scolopendridae |
| Size | 15-22 mm | 100-160 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Western Europe | Oceania (New Zealand) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Minotaur Beetle
A robust, black beetle where males sport three forward-pointing horns on the thorax. It buries rabbit dung in deep underground tunnels.
Did You Know?
Males dig tunnels up to 1.5 meters deep to provision underground brood chambers with dung.
New Zealand Giant Centipede
New Zealand's largest centipede, reaching up to 160 mm in length. While not an insect, it is a prominent invertebrate predator found under logs and rocks. It delivers a painful venomous bite and preys on large invertebrates including weta.
Did You Know?
This centipede has been observed catching and eating gecko lizards and large weta that are nearly as big as itself.