Sand Dune Scarab vs Benderman's Cave Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sand Dune Scarab Benderman's Cave Beetle
Scientific Name Pseudocotalpa andrewsi Pseudanophthalmus bendermani
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Carabidae
Size 15-22 mm 4-5 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Caves
Diet Root Feeders Omnivores
Regions North America United States
Conservation Least Concern Endangered

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.

Benderman's Cave Beetle

A tiny blind ground beetle restricted to a single cave system in Virginia. It is federally listed as endangered in the United States.

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Did You Know?

It is known from only one cave in the entire world.