Wide-Headed Dung Beetle vs Wahlberg's Cockroach
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Wide-Headed Dung Beetle | Wahlberg's Cockroach |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onthophagus nigriventris | Deropeltis wahlbergi |
| Order | Coleoptera | Blattodea |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Blattidae |
| Size | 7-12 mm | 25-35 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Detritivores |
| Regions | East Africa | Southern Africa (South Africa, Mozambique) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
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.
Wahlberg's Cockroach
A medium-sized black cockroach with orange wing margins found in southern Africa. It is named after the Swedish naturalist Johan August Wahlberg.
Did You Know?
It curls up defensively like a pillbug when handled, a behavior unusual among cockroaches.