South American Dung Beetle vs Brown-winged Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute South American Dung Beetle Brown-winged Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Oxysternon conspicillatum Tasgius ater
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Staphylinidae
Size 15-25 mm 14-18 mm
Habitat Forests Farmland
Diet Dung Feeders Predators
Regions Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

South American Dung Beetle

A metallic green and copper dung beetle common in Amazonian forests. Males have a distinctive curved horn on the head.

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Did You Know?

This species buries dung balls at remarkable speed, often out-competing rival beetles within minutes of a fresh dropping.

Brown-winged Rove Beetle

A large, uniformly dark rove beetle with subtly brownish elytra, closely related to Tasgius melanarius. It prefers more rural habitats than its congener and is often found in agricultural landscapes.

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Did You Know?

Farmers historically considered this beetle beneficial, as it actively hunts crop-damaging leatherjackets in agricultural soils.