Molossus Scarab vs Lovebug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Molossus Scarab Lovebug
Scientific Name Catharsius molossus Plecia nearctica
Order Coleoptera Diptera
Family Scarabaeidae Bibionidae
Size 25-40 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Dung Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions South Asia, Southeast Asia North America, Central America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Molossus Scarab

A large, robust black tunneling dung beetle found across South and Southeast Asia. Males have a prominent curved horn on the head and two smaller pronotal horns. It is one of the most common large dung beetles in Asian pastures.

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Did You Know?

This species can bury an amount of dung equal to 250 times its body weight in a single night.

Lovebug

A small black march fly famous for flying in mated pairs connected end to end for days. Massive swarms occur twice yearly in the southeastern United States, causing significant nuisance.

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Did You Know?

Their acidic body chemistry can damage car paint if not washed off quickly, costing motorists millions annually.