Small Australian Tunneler vs Red-Shouldered Ham Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Small Australian Tunneler | Red-Shouldered Ham Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onthophagus parvus | Carcinops pumilio |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Histeridae |
| Size | 4-6 mm | 2-3 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Farmland |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Australia | Worldwide (cosmopolitan) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Small Australian Tunneler
A tiny, brown tunneling dung beetle native to Australia. It is one of the few native Australian species adapted to process the dry, pellet-like dung of marsupials. Found in eucalyptus woodland across the continent.
Did You Know?
Native Australian dung beetles evolved with marsupial pellet dung and were ill-equipped to handle the wet dung of introduced cattle.
Red-Shouldered Ham Beetle
A tiny, shiny black hister beetle commonly found in poultry houses where it preys on house fly larvae. It is an important biological control agent in livestock facilities.
Did You Know?
A single beetle can consume up to 24 house fly eggs per day, making it one of the best natural fly controls in hen houses.