Cobalt Milkweed Beetle vs Broad-Toothed Scarab

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cobalt Milkweed Beetle Broad-Toothed Scarab
Scientific Name Chrysochus cobaltinus auratus Scarabaeus laticollis
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Chrysomelidae Scarabaeidae
Size 8-11mm 15-22 mm
Habitat Meadows Heathland
Diet Herbivores Dung Feeders
Regions North America Southern Europe, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Cobalt Milkweed Beetle

A subspecies of the cobalt blue milkweed beetle with slightly more golden-green coloring.

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Did You Know?

The metallic blue and green coloring warns predators that it has sequestered toxic compounds from milkweed.

Broad-Toothed Scarab

A medium-sized, glossy black roller dung beetle with a broad pronotum and strong clypeal teeth. Common across Mediterranean regions, it rolls balls from sheep and goat dung. Most active in afternoon heat.

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Did You Know?

In ancient Greece, this species was likely confused with the sacred scarab and may have inspired some mythological accounts.