Predatory Dung Beetle vs Bipunctate Aleocharine
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Predatory Dung Beetle | Bipunctate Aleocharine |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Deltochilum valgum | Aleochara bipustulata |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Staphylinidae |
| Size | 15-22 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Farmland |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | South America | Europe, North Africa, Asia |
| 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.
Bipunctate Aleocharine
A robust aleocharine rove beetle with two reddish spots on its elytra, serving as both predator and parasitoid of agricultural pest flies. It is one of the best-studied biocontrol staphylinids.
Did You Know?
This beetle has a dual attack strategy: adults eat pest fly eggs on the surface while their larvae burrow into the soil to parasitize fly pupae underground.