Saphirinus Dung Beetle vs Wasp Nest Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Saphirinus Dung Beetle | Wasp Nest Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coprophanaeus saphirinus | Metoecus paradoxus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Ripiphoridae |
| Size | 18-30 mm | 8-12mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Woodlands |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | South America (Brazil, Argentina) | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Saphirinus Dung Beetle
A stunning metallic sapphire-blue tunneling dung beetle with brilliant iridescence. Males have a prominent horn. It is one of the most beautifully colored dung beetles in the Neotropics and an important decomposer.
Did You Know?
The sapphire-blue metallic sheen is so intense that museum specimens retain their color for over a century.
Wasp Nest Beetle
A bizarre wedge-shaped beetle that develops as a parasitoid inside social wasp nests. Males have feathery antennae.
Did You Know?
One of the most unusual beetles in Europe, spending its entire larval development inside live wasp nests.