Black Burying Beetle vs Pecuarius Onitis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black Burying Beetle Pecuarius Onitis
Scientific Name Nicrophorus humator Onitis pecuarius
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Silphidae Scarabaeidae
Size 18-26mm 12-20 mm
Habitat Hedgerows Farmland
Diet Carrion Feeders Dung Feeders
Regions Europe Southern Africa, introduced to Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Black Burying Beetle

A large all-black burying beetle with orange-tipped antennae. It buries animal carcasses for its larvae.

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Did You Know?

One of the largest burying beetles in Europe and can inter a mouse-sized carcass in just a few hours.

Pecuarius Onitis

A medium-sized, dark brown to black tunneling dung beetle with strong forelegs. It is a nocturnal species that constructs deep burrows. Successfully introduced to Australia from southern Africa as a dung management agent.

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Did You Know?

In Australia, this beetle became most active during winter months, filling an important seasonal gap in dung burial activity.