Red Milkweed Beetle vs Gigas Dung Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red Milkweed Beetle Gigas Dung Beetle
Scientific Name Tetraopes tetrophthalmus Heliocopris gigas
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Cerambycidae Scarabaeidae
Size 9-14 mm 35-55 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Root Feeders Dung Feeders
Regions Eastern North America West Africa, Central Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Red Milkweed Beetle

A bright red beetle with black spots, exclusively associated with common milkweed. Its antennae bisect its compound eyes, giving it four apparent eyes.

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Did You Know?

Its scientific name means 'four eyes, four eyes,' referring to how antennae split each eye in two.

Gigas Dung Beetle

A massive glossy black tunneling dung beetle with powerful digging forelegs. Males have a broad cephalic horn. This species constructs elaborate underground chambers packed with dung for its larvae.

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Did You Know?

The larval chamber is sealed with a clay cap that helps regulate moisture as the larva develops inside the brood ball.