Head to head
Minotaur Beetle vs Rainbow Dung Beetle
Minotaur Beetle
VS Rainbow Dung Beetle
The minotaur beetle of Europe and the rainbow dung beetle of North America are two horned dung beetles that bury dung rather than rolling it away.
| Minotaur Beetle | Rainbow Dung Beetle | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Typhaeus typhoeus | Phanaeus vindex |
| Colour | A rounded, shiny black body | Iridescent colouring across red, green, and gold, among the most vividly coloured dung beetles |
| Horns | The male has three long horns on his thorax that curve forward, while the female has only small ridges | Males carry a prominent horn on the head, used in disputes with rival males |
| Diet | The dung of herbivores such as rabbits and sheep | An omnivore that feeds mainly on dung |
| Handling dung | A pair digs a burrow in sandy soil up to about a metre deep and stocks it with dung for the grubs | Digs dung directly into the ground beneath the dropping rather than shaping and rolling it away |
| Ecological role | Feeds its grubs on stored dung in side chambers of the burrow | Plays a significant role in burying dung and returning nutrients to the soil |
| Habitat and range | Sandy heaths, dunes, and grazed grassland across Europe | Grassland and forest across parts of North America |
| Conservation status | Not Evaluated globally, though locally common on suitable sandy ground | Not Evaluated |
Minotaur Beetle vs Rainbow Dung Beetle: common questions
Why is it called the minotaur beetle?
The male has three long horns on his thorax that curve forward, like the horns of a bull, as in the myth of the Minotaur.
Which one is brightly coloured?
The rainbow dung beetle, whose iridescent colours span red, green, and gold.
Do they roll dung into balls?
No, the rainbow dung beetle buries dung directly beneath the dropping, and the minotaur beetle stocks a deep burrow with dung for its grubs.