Pecuarius Onitis vs Brown Chafer

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pecuarius Onitis Brown Chafer
Scientific Name Onitis pecuarius Serica brunnea
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Scarabaeidae
Size 12-20 mm 8-11 mm
Habitat Farmland Heathland
Diet Dung Feeders Root Feeders
Regions Southern Africa, introduced to Australia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Pecuarius Onitis

A medium-sized, dark brown to black tunneling dung beetle with strong forelegs. It is a nocturnal species that constructs deep burrows. Successfully introduced to Australia from southern Africa as a dung management agent.

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Did You Know?

In Australia, this beetle became most active during winter months, filling an important seasonal gap in dung burial activity.

Brown Chafer

A small chestnut-brown beetle with a velvety sheen to its elytra. It is nocturnal and attracted to lights on warm summer nights.

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Did You Know?

Its velvety appearance is caused by tiny, densely packed hairs covering the entire body surface.