Predatory Dung Beetle vs Kaup Bess Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Predatory Dung Beetle | Kaup Bess Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Deltochilum valgum | Passalus interstitialis |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Passalidae |
| Size | 15-22 mm | 30-40 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Woodlands |
| Diet | Predators | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | South America | Central America, Mexico |
| 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.
Kaup Bess Beetle
A large, elongate, shiny black bess beetle with prominent mandibles and longitudinal grooves on the elytra. It is the most common Passalid in Central America. Colonies of adults and larvae inhabit decaying logs.
Did You Know?
Bess beetles are subsocial insects where parents and offspring live together and cooperate in maintaining their log galleries.