Variable Dung Beetle vs Sloane's Tiger Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Variable Dung Beetle | Sloane's Tiger Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onthophagus fracticornis | Pseudotetracha sloaneae |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Cicindelidae |
| Size | 5-9 mm | 20-30 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Australia, Oceania |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
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.
Sloane's Tiger Beetle
A rare nocturnal tiger beetle endemic to inland salt lakes of southern Australia. It has unusually large eyes and long legs adapted for hunting on saline lake shores at night.
Did You Know?
Pseudotetracha tiger beetles are exclusively Australian and represent some of the most ancient lineages of tiger beetles.