Wide-Headed Dung Beetle vs Japanese Diving Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Wide-Headed Dung Beetle | Japanese Diving Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onthophagus nigriventris | Cybister japonicus |
| Order | Coleoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Dytiscidae |
| Size | 7-12 mm | 30-38 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Ponds & Lakes |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | East Africa | Japan, Korean Peninsula |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
Wide-Headed Dung Beetle
A small, greenish-bronze tunneling dung beetle from East Africa with a very wide head in major males. The broad head is used to block tunnel entrances against rivals. It is common in savanna grasslands.
Did You Know?
Minor males, which lack the wide head, instead dig sneaky side tunnels to bypass the guarding major male.
Japanese Diving Beetle
A large diving beetle native to Japan, once common but now increasingly rare. It has suffered severe declines due to habitat loss and invasive species.
Did You Know?
The American bullfrog, introduced to Japan, is a major predator of this beetle and a key driver of its decline.