Vacca Dung Beetle vs Black-and-Red Froghopper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Vacca Dung Beetle | Black-and-Red Froghopper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onthophagus vacca | Cercopis arcuata |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Cercopidae |
| Size | 6-12 mm | 8-10 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Southern Europe, Mediterranean |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Vacca Dung Beetle
A small coppery-green to bronze tunneler with a broad head and short horns in males. It is a common pasture dung beetle across Europe. The metallic sheen distinguishes it from many congeners.
Did You Know?
Males with longer horns guard tunnel entrances while hornless males sneak through side tunnels to mate.
Black-and-Red Froghopper
A southern European froghopper similar to C. vulnerata but with differently shaped red markings. It is common in Mediterranean grasslands.
Did You Know?
Its bright coloration warns predators of its distasteful body chemistry, a defense rare among xylem-feeders.