Malagasy Dung Beetle vs Lopaphus Stick Insect

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Malagasy Dung Beetle Lopaphus Stick Insect
Scientific Name Helictopleurus neoamplicollis Lopaphus sphalerus
Order Coleoptera Phasmatodea
Family Scarabaeidae Lonchodidae
Size 10-16 mm 6-8 cm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Dung Feeders Herbivores
Regions Madagascar Vietnam, Laos
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.

Lopaphus Stick Insect

A medium-sized stick insect from Southeast Asia with small wings. It has a smooth body and relatively long antennae.

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Did You Know?

The genus Lopaphus contains numerous species that are difficult to distinguish without molecular analysis.