Splendid Earth-boring Beetle vs Sweat Bee of the Desert

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Splendid Earth-boring Beetle Sweat Bee of the Desert
Scientific Name Bolbocerosoma farctum Lasioglossum titusi
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Geotrupidae Halictidae
Size 8-14mm 5-8 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Deserts & Drylands
Diet Fungus Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Splendid Earth-boring Beetle

A stout rotund beetle with a polished amber-brown body. It digs deep burrows in sandy soil and is attracted to lights at night.

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Did You Know?

It helps propagate underground fungi by carrying fungal spores between burrows acting as a subterranean gardener.

Sweat Bee of the Desert

A small metallic green bee found in arid regions of western North America. It nests communally in sandy desert soil.

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Did You Know?

It is attracted to human sweat for the salt it contains, which is scarce in desert environments.