Spanish Copris vs Turkey Gnat

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spanish Copris Turkey Gnat
Scientific Name Copris hispanus Simulium meridionale
Order Coleoptera Diptera
Family Scarabaeidae Simuliidae
Size 18-27mm 2-4 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Dung Feeders Blood Feeders
Regions Europe North America
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Spanish Copris

A large shiny black dung beetle with a single curved horn on the males head. It constructs elaborate underground brood chambers beneath dung pats.

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Did You Know?

Both parents cooperate to sculpt perfectly round dung balls in underground chambers and guard them until the larvae pupate.

Turkey Gnat

A black fly notorious for swarming livestock in the southern United States. Larvae attach to rocks in swift streams using silken pads and posterior hooks.

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Did You Know?

Massive swarms historically caused turkey and livestock deaths in the Mississippi Valley through blood loss and allergic reactions.