Proagoderus Dung Beetle vs Wide-Headed Dung Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Proagoderus Dung Beetle Wide-Headed Dung Beetle
Scientific Name Proagoderus tersidorsis Onthophagus nigriventris
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Scarabaeidae
Size 10-18 mm 7-12 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Dung Feeders Dung Feeders
Regions East Africa East Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Proagoderus Dung Beetle

A medium-sized, dark metallic tunneling dung beetle with elaborate pronotal horns in major males. Found in African savannas, it is a rapid tunnel constructor. The complex horn morphology has made it a subject of evolutionary studies.

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Did You Know?

The ornate horns of this species have evolved through intense sexual selection by female choice and male-male combat.

Wide-Headed Dung Beetle

A small, greenish-bronze tunneling dung beetle from East Africa with a very wide head in major males. The broad head is used to block tunnel entrances against rivals. It is common in savanna grasslands.

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Did You Know?

Minor males, which lack the wide head, instead dig sneaky side tunnels to bypass the guarding major male.