Sagittarius Dung Beetle vs Palmetto Leaf Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sagittarius Dung Beetle | Palmetto Leaf Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onthophagus sagittarius | Colaspis calosa |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 8-14 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Southeast Asia, introduced to Australia | Southern United States, Caribbean, Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Sagittarius Dung Beetle
A medium-sized dark brown tunneler with a distinctive arrow-shaped projection on the male head. It was introduced to Australia from Asia to assist with cattle dung burial. A very efficient tunneler in tropical conditions.
Did You Know?
This species was deliberately released in northern Australia in 1982 and has since spread across tropical Queensland.
Palmetto Leaf Beetle
A small, oblong beetle with a bronze to golden-green metallic sheen and regular rows of punctures on the elytra. It feeds on the leaves of palms and other tropical plants in the Americas.
Did You Know?
Adults are strongly attracted to lights at night, and mass flights can lead to sudden infestations in new areas.