Ruby-Legged Dung Beetle vs Coastal Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ruby-Legged Dung Beetle Coastal Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Onthophagus medius Cafius xantholoma
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Staphylinidae
Size 6-10 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Grasslands Beaches & Coastal
Diet Dung Feeders Predators
Regions Africa, South Asia Atlantic coasts of Europe and North Africa
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.

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Did You Know?

By burying dung, this beetle reduces habitat for parasitic flies that affect livestock health.

Coastal Rove Beetle

A medium-sized rove beetle with yellowish elytral margins, highly adapted to life on seashores. It lives under seaweed wrack on beaches where it preys on kelp fly larvae.

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Did You Know?

This beetle can survive temporary submersion in seawater during high tides by trapping an air bubble under its elytra.