''Oxysternon conspicillatum'' is a species of dung beetle. It is widespread and common in both evergreen and deciduous forests of Central America and northern South America, and generally sticks to lowland, dry tropical and bamboo forests. The larvae feed on fungi, decaying organic matter, and other organic materials found in dung balls or carrion. Both male and female beetles are hard-shelled with an iridescent blue-green color on their skin. The species exhibits some sexual dimorphism; males have large black horns and spikes on their shells while females' shells are flat. Male ''O. conspicillatum'' also tend to be larger than their female counterparts. ''Oxysternon conspicillatum'' has been studied as a potential source for antimicrobial agents, with the possible use of its

host defense peptides Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), also called host defence peptides (HDPs) are part of the innate immune response found among all classes of life. Fundamental differences exist between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells that may represent targets for an ...

in the development of new antibiotics. Oxysternon-conspicillatum male

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q3359156 Scarabaeidae Beetles of Central America Beetles of South America Beetles described in 1801