Rustic Soldier Beetle vs Stag-Horned Dung Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Rustic Soldier Beetle Stag-Horned Dung Beetle
Scientific Name Cantharis rustica Onthophagus rangifer
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Cantharidae Scarabaeidae
Size 11-15 mm 7-12 mm
Habitat Underground Forests
Diet Predators Dung Feeders
Regions Europe Southeast Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Rustic Soldier Beetle

A common European soldier beetle with dark elytra and an orange-red pronotum marked with a black spot. It is an active predator on flower heads.

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Did You Know?

The dark heart-shaped mark on its pronotum is a reliable identification feature across its range.

Stag-Horned Dung Beetle

A small, dark brown tunneling dung beetle with spectacularly branched antler-like horns in major males. The branching horns resemble reindeer antlers. It inhabits forest habitats where it tunnels beneath monkey and civet dung.

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Did You Know?

The branching horns of this beetle are some of the most complex found in any insect species.