Round-bodied Scydmaenine vs Predatory Dung Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Round-bodied Scydmaenine | Predatory Dung Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Scydmaenus tarsatus | Deltochilum valgum |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Staphylinidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 1-2 mm | 15-22 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Forests |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Europe | South America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Round-bodied Scydmaenine
A minute, convex rove beetle of the subfamily Scydmaeninae with a distinctively constricted waist between thorax and abdomen. It is a specialized predator of armored mites in forest soil.
Did You Know?
This tiny beetle has evolved specialized mandibles that can crack open the heavily armored shells of oribatid mites, prey that most other predators cannot exploit.
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.