Scarlet Malachite Beetle vs African Dung Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Scarlet Malachite Beetle | African Dung Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Malachius aeneus | Scarabaeus rugosus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Melyridae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 5-7 mm | 15-22 mm |
| Habitat | Meadows | Heathland |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Southern Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Scarlet Malachite Beetle
A small beetle with brilliant red and metallic green coloring. Males have peculiar orange head appendages used during courtship.
Did You Know?
The female bites and feeds on the male's orange head organs during mating as a nuptial gift.
African Dung Beetle
A medium-sized, roughly textured black roller beetle found in southern African sandy habitats. It has prominent teeth on the clypeus and strong forelegs. Active during daylight hours, rolling dung on sand.
Did You Know?
On hot sand, this beetle will perform a stilting behavior, standing on tiptoe to reduce contact with the burning surface.