Zambesianus Scarab vs South American Spittlebug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Zambesianus Scarab South American Spittlebug
Scientific Name Scarabaeus zambesianus Deois flavopicta
Order Coleoptera Hemiptera
Family Scarabaeidae Cercopidae
Size 18-28 mm 8-12 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Dung Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions Southern Africa Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Zambesianus Scarab

A nocturnal African roller dung beetle with a smooth, dark body. It was the first animal proven to use polarized light from the moon for navigation. Highly efficient at locating fresh dung at night.

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Did You Know?

This was the first animal scientifically demonstrated to navigate using polarized moonlight.

South American Spittlebug

A dark brown and yellow spittlebug that is a major pest of tropical pasture grasses in Brazil. Nymphs produce protective frothy spittle masses on grass stems.

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Did You Know?

Outbreaks can damage millions of hectares of Brazilian pasture, causing estimated annual losses of over $2 billion.