Cattle-pasture
Guides
Aphodius pedellus
Aphodius pedellus is a small dung beetle native to Europe that has been introduced to North America, where it is now widespread and common in cattle pastures. It was long confused with Aphodius fimetarius as part of a species complex, but morphological and DNA barcoding studies have confirmed them as distinct species. In Canada, only A. pedellus is present; A. fimetarius is absent. North American populations show reduced genetic diversity consistent with introduction during European settlement.
Oscarinus rusicola
Oscarinus rusicola is a dung beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, found across much of Canada and the northern and eastern United States. It is primarily associated with cattle dung, where it buries feces into soil. This activity reduces methane emissions, recycles nutrients, and suppresses pest fly populations. The species is sensitive to cattle parasiticides that persist in dung.
Oscarinus stuessyi
Oscarinus stuessyi is a dung beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Gordon and Skelley in 2007. It belongs to the subfamily Aphodiinae, which includes many species associated with dung decomposition. The species occurs in the south-central United States. Like other members of its genus, it likely contributes to nutrient cycling in pasture ecosystems.