How do dung beetles steer by the stars?

Dung beetles steer by comparing their path with the pattern of light above them. On bright nights they can use the moon, and on darker nights some species use the pale band of the Milky Way, keeping that sky pattern steady while they push their food ball away from rivals.

The charming part is how small the equipment is: wide, many-lensed eyes gather a rough view of the heavens, and the beetle's brain remembers the starting picture. When scientists covered that view, the neat escape route turned into confused wandering.