Stellate Dung Beetle vs Tropical Fire Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Stellate Dung Beetle Tropical Fire Ant
Scientific Name Gymnopleurus humanus Solenopsis geminata
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Formicidae
Size 10-16 mm 2-6 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Predators Seed Feeders
Regions Sub-Saharan Africa Pantropical
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Stellate Dung Beetle

A medium-sized, glossy black roller found in African savannas. It has a nearly perfectly spherical body when viewed from the side. An extremely fast roller that can outpace many predators on flat terrain.

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Did You Know?

Its near-perfect spherical body shape is an adaptation that makes it difficult for predators to grasp.

Tropical Fire Ant

A pantropical fire ant with large-headed major workers specialized for seed milling. It is one of the oldest known invasive ant species, spread globally through colonial trade routes.

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Did You Know?

It was likely transported around the world in soil ballast of Spanish galleons during the 16th century.