Ruby-Legged Dung Beetle vs Arctic Ground Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ruby-Legged Dung Beetle | Arctic Ground Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onthophagus medius | Amara alpina |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Carabidae |
| Size | 6-10 mm | 5-8 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Africa, South Asia | Arctic Scandinavia, northern Russia, Siberia, Arctic Canada, Greenland |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Ruby-Legged Dung Beetle
A small, dark bronze tunneling dung beetle with reddish-brown legs found in parts of Africa and Asia. Males have a pair of short horns. It is commonly found in cattle pastures and plays a role in parasite control.
Did You Know?
By burying dung, this beetle reduces habitat for parasitic flies that affect livestock health.
Arctic Ground Beetle
A small, dark bronze ground beetle found on Arctic and alpine tundra. It has a broad, flattened body ideal for sheltering under stones. Adults are active during the brief Arctic summer and are partially herbivorous.
Did You Know?
This beetle has been found in Quaternary fossil deposits across northern Europe, showing it has inhabited the tundra since the last Ice Age.