Malagasy Dung Beetle vs Dune Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Malagasy Dung Beetle Dune Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Helictopleurus neoamplicollis Bledius furcatus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Scarabaeidae Staphylinidae
Size 10-16 mm 3-5 mm
Habitat Forests Deserts & Drylands
Diet Dung Feeders Seed Feeders
Regions Madagascar Europe, Mediterranean coast
Conservation Vulnerable Least Concern

Malagasy Dung Beetle

A medium-sized, dark-bodied tunneling dung beetle endemic to Madagascar. Males have pronotal ridges. It processes lemur and tenrec dung in the island's unique forests. Threatened by deforestation of Madagascar's remaining forests.

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Did You Know?

The dung beetles of Madagascar evolved in isolation and many species are found nowhere else on Earth.

Dune Rove Beetle

A small, burrowing oxytelline rove beetle specialized for life in coastal sand dunes. Males have distinctive forked projections on the head used in competition for burrow sites.

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Did You Know?

This beetle creates vertical burrows up to 10 cm deep in sand, which it maintains open even as shifting sands constantly threaten to fill them.