Vacca Dung Beetle vs Narrow-necked Ant Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Vacca Dung Beetle | Narrow-necked Ant Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onthophagus vacca | Dinarda dentata |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Staphylinidae |
| Size | 6-12 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Gall Makers |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Europe, Northern Asia |
| 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.
Narrow-necked Ant Beetle
A flattened, reddish-brown aleocharine rove beetle that inhabits Formica ant nests as a tolerated guest. Its flattened body allows it to move easily through narrow ant nest galleries.
Did You Know?
If attacked by an ant, this beetle raises its abdomen to present its appeasement glands, releasing chemicals that calm the aggressor.