Rugged Oil Beetle vs Sand Dune Scarab

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Rugged Oil Beetle Sand Dune Scarab
Scientific Name Meloe rugosus Pseudocotalpa andrewsi
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Meloidae Scarabaeidae
Size 8-25 mm 15-22 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Deserts & Drylands
Diet Herbivores Root Feeders
Regions Western Europe, Southern Europe North America
Conservation Endangered Least Concern

Rugged Oil Beetle

A rare, dark and heavily wrinkled oil beetle that appears in autumn unlike its spring-emerging relatives. It is one of Britain's most endangered beetles.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few European oil beetles that is active during the autumn and winter months.

Sand Dune Scarab

A metallic golden-green scarab beetle found only on desert sand dunes. Adults emerge briefly after rains to feed and mate.

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Did You Know?

It can burrow into loose sand in seconds using its broad, shovel-like forelegs.