Two-Spotted Dung Beetle vs Golden Tortoise Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Two-Spotted Dung Beetle | Golden Tortoise Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onthophagus nuchicornis | Charidotella sexpunctata |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Chrysomelidae |
| Size | 6-9 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Farmland |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, introduced to North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Two-Spotted Dung Beetle
A small, mottled brown and yellow tunneling dung beetle with two dark spots on the pronotum. Males have a single backward-pointing horn on the nape. It is one of the most common dung beetles in European pastures.
Did You Know?
This species was accidentally introduced to North America and is now one of the most common dung beetles on the continent.
Golden Tortoise Beetle
Looks like a tiny golden jewel. Can change color from gold to reddish-brown by controlling moisture in microscopic layers of its shell. Color changes with stress or mating.
Did You Know?
The golden tortoise beetle can change color from brilliant gold to dull red in minutes by controlling fluid in nanoscale layers of its shell — like a living mood ring.