Twelve-Lined Whirligig Beetle vs Flat-Headed Dung Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Twelve-Lined Whirligig Beetle | Flat-Headed Dung Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Gyrinus minutus | Paragymnopleurus maurus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Gyrinidae | Scarabaeidae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | 12-18 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Farmland |
| Diet | Omnivores | Dung Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Northern Asia | South Asia, Southeast Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Twelve-Lined Whirligig Beetle
One of the smallest European whirligig beetles, found in clean ponds and lakes. It is often overlooked due to its diminutive size.
Did You Know?
Its flattened, oar-like hind legs beat up to 60 times per second to maintain its rapid surface swimming.
Flat-Headed Dung Beetle
A medium-sized shiny black roller dung beetle with a distinctively flat clypeal margin. It is highly active during the day and rolls dung balls rapidly across open terrain. Common in tropical Asian habitats near cattle.
Did You Know?
When the ground becomes too hot, this beetle climbs on top of its dung ball to cool its feet before continuing to roll.