Sagittarius Dung Beetle vs Red Cotton Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Sagittarius Dung Beetle | Red Cotton Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onthophagus sagittarius | Dysdercus koenigii |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Pyrrhocoridae |
| Size | 8-14 mm | 12-18 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Fungus Feeders |
| Regions | Southeast Asia, introduced to Australia | South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka) |
| 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.
Red Cotton Bug
A bright red and black true bug that stains cotton lint by piercing developing cotton bolls. Adults and nymphs aggregate in large numbers on cotton plants, and their feeding introduces fungi that further damage the crop.
Did You Know?
The red staining caused by this bug's feeding on cotton bolls reduces the market value of the cotton fiber by creating permanent yellow spots.