Predatory Dung Beetle vs Amazonian Bark Mantis
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Predatory Dung Beetle | Amazonian Bark Mantis |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Deltochilum valgum | Liturgusa amazonica |
| Order | Coleoptera | Mantodea |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Liturgusidae |
| Size | 15-22 mm | 25-35 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Predators | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | South America | Brazil, Peru, Colombia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Predatory Dung Beetle
An unusual roller dung beetle that has evolved predatory behavior, actively hunting and killing millipedes. It is dark brown to black with a flattened body shape. The species represents a remarkable dietary shift within dung beetles.
Did You Know?
This is one of the only known predatory dung beetles, using its clypeus to decapitate millipedes before rolling the carcass away.
Amazonian Bark Mantis
A cryptic bark mantis found in the Amazon basin that is almost invisible on tree bark. Its mottled brown and gray coloring matches lichen-covered trunks perfectly.
Did You Know?
It was one of 19 new bark mantis species described in a major 2014 revision of the genus.