South American Grain Stem Sawfly vs Broad-Horned Onitis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute South American Grain Stem Sawfly Broad-Horned Onitis
Scientific Name Cephus fumipennis Onitis caffer
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Cephidae Scarabaeidae
Size 7-10 mm 16-26 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Seed Feeders Dung Feeders
Regions Europe, Central Asia Southern Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

South American Grain Stem Sawfly

A slender black stem sawfly with smoky wings and yellow abdominal bands. It attacks cereal grain stems in parts of Europe and Asia.

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Did You Know?

Like other cephid stem borers, the larva constructs a silken cocoon inside the hollowed-out stem base where it overwinters before pupating in spring.

Broad-Horned Onitis

A large, dark brown to black tunneler with massive forelegs in males. The prothorax is greatly enlarged. It digs deep vertical shafts beneath cattle dung and is primarily nocturnal. Males use their forelegs in combat.

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Did You Know?

The enormous forelegs of the male serve double duty, used both for digging and for grappling with rival males.