Variable Dung Beetle vs Anchor Stink Bug
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Variable Dung Beetle | Anchor Stink Bug |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onthophagus fracticornis | Stiretrus anchorago |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Pentatomidae |
| Size | 5-9 mm | 8-11 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Variable Dung Beetle
A small, highly variable tunneling dung beetle found across Europe. Coloration ranges from pale brown to nearly black with various mottled patterns. Males have a small bent horn, giving the species its name.
Did You Know?
The extreme color variation in this species once led taxonomists to describe multiple color forms as separate species.
Anchor Stink Bug
A predatory stink bug that is one of North America's most colorful pentatomids, with highly variable patterns of red, blue, black, and white. It preys on beetle larvae, caterpillars, and other soft-bodied insects.
Did You Know?
It comes in dozens of strikingly different color patterns, making specimens from the same population look like different species.