Dung-beetle
Guides
Acoma mixta
Acoma mixta is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Howden in 1958. Adults measure 4.8–7.5 mm in length. The species is documented from Arizona, USA, though field observations suggest it may also occur in adjacent areas of New Mexico. Like other members of the genus Acoma, it is a dung-associated beetle, though specific ecological details remain limited.
Acrossus rubripennis
Acrossus rubripennis is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It is distributed across eastern North America, with records from Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec) and the United States (Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Wisconsin). The species is characterized by its reddish wing covers (elytra), as indicated by the specific epithet "rubripennis" meaning "red-winged."
Acrossus rufipes
Night-flying Dung Beetle
Acrossus rufipes is a scarab beetle commonly known as the night-flying dung beetle. The species is notable for its strong negative phototaxis, remaining buried in soil or dung during daylight and emerging only after dark to fly and seek food or mates. It is among the largest members of its genus, with a robust body adapted for burrowing using its shovel-shaped head. The species has experienced taxonomic instability, having been classified under Aphodius before returning to Acrossus.
Aegialia blanchardi
Aegialia blanchardi is a small aphodiine dung beetle described by Horn in 1887. It occurs across North America from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic seaboard, with records spanning Canada and the United States. The species is a member of the subfamily Aegialiinae, a group associated with sandy coastal and riparian habitats.
Aegialia cartwrighti
Aegialia cartwrighti is a small dung beetle in the subfamily Aegialiinae, described by Stebnicka in 1977. It belongs to a genus associated with sandy coastal and desert habitats. The species is known from limited records in the southeastern United States.
Aegialia convexa
Aegialia convexa is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Fall in 1932. It is a member of the tribe Aegialiini, a group of beetles associated with sandy coastal and dune habitats. The species is found in North America, with records from California.
Aegialia crassa
Aegialia crassa is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aegialiinae. It was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1857. The species belongs to a genus of small dung beetles typically associated with sandy coastal habitats. Records indicate it occurs in western North America from British Columbia south to California.
Aegialia lacustris
Aegialia lacustris is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, originally described by LeConte in 1850. It is currently treated as a synonym of Psammoporus lacustris in some taxonomic databases, though widely referenced under the name Aegialia lacustris. The species occurs across northern North America, with records from Canada and the northwestern United States.
Aegialia opifex
Aegialia opifex is a species of aphodiine dung beetle described by Horn in 1887. It belongs to the genus Aegialia, a group of small scarab beetles often associated with sandy coastal habitats. The species is documented from eastern North America, with records from both Canada and the United States.
Aegialia spinosa
Aegialia spinosa is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Gordon and Cartwright in 1988. It is endemic to western North America, with records from California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. The species belongs to the tribe Aegialiini, a group of dung beetles often associated with sandy coastal and inland habitats. Limited information is available on its specific biology and ecology.
Agoliinus canadensis
Canadian dung beetle
Agoliinus canadensis is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It occurs in western North America, with records from the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan, and from the western United States including California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. As a member of the Aphodiinae, it is associated with dung decomposition. The species was described by Garnett in 1920.
Agoliinus congregatus
Agoliinus congregatus is a small scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, commonly known as dung beetles. The species is documented from western North America, with records from Alaska through California and eastward to Colorado and Montana, as well as the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. The specific epithet 'congregatus' suggests grouping behavior, though this has not been formally studied. Like other members of Aphodiinae, it is presumed to be associated with dung decomposition, but specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Agoliinus corruptor
Agoliinus corruptor is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, described by Brown in 1929. It is known from a limited number of observations and collection records across northwestern North America. The species appears to be associated with temperate to boreal regions in western Canada and the northern United States.
Agoliinus incommunis
Agoliinus incommunis is a species of small scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, originally described by Fall in 1932. The species is documented from mountainous regions of western North America, with records spanning from British Columbia south to New Mexico. As a member of the Aphodiini tribe, it belongs to a group commonly known as small dung beetles, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented. The species name "incommunis" (Latin for "uncommon" or "not shared") may allude to its rarity or restricted distribution.
Agoliinus leopardus
Leopard Dung Beetle
Agoliinus leopardus is a dung beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as the Leopard Dung Beetle. It is distributed across northern North America, with records from Alaska through the Canadian provinces to the northeastern and north-central United States. As a member of the Aphodiinae subfamily, it is associated with dung decomposition processes. The species has been documented through 62 iNaturalist observations, indicating moderate citizen science engagement.
Agoliinus manitobensis
Agoliinus manitobensis is a small scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, described by Brown in 1928. The species is known from scattered records across northeastern North America. It belongs to a genus of dung beetles associated with mammal feces. Field observations are sparse, with only three documented records on iNaturalist.
Aidophus parcus
Aidophus parcus is a small aphodiine dung beetle described by Horn in 1887. It is one of the few species in the genus Aidophus, a group of dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae. The species is distributed across a broad swathe of central and eastern North America, with records from the Great Plains to the Atlantic seaboard. As an aphodiine, it is likely associated with dung decomposition, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Aidophus skelleyi
Aidophus skelleyi is a small dung beetle species in the subfamily Aphodiinae, described in 2001 from Florida. As a member of the genus Aidophus, it belongs to a group of aphodiines characterized by reduced tarsal claws. The species is known only from the southeastern United States.
Aleochara
Aleochara is a genus of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) distinguished by its parasitoid larval life history. Adults are predatory, feeding on eggs, larvae, and puparia of scatophagous and necrophagous Diptera. Larvae are ectoparasitoids that develop inside fly puparia, killing the host. The genus contains at least 150 and possibly more than 400 species across 16 subgenera, with a worldwide distribution except Antarctica. Several species, notably Aleochara bilineata, are significant biological control agents of agricultural pest flies.
Alloblackburneus
Alloblackburneus is a genus of scarab beetles (family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae) described by Bordat in 2009. It belongs to the tribe Aphodiini, a group commonly known as small dung beetles. The genus is endemic to the Afrotropical region. Species in this genus are part of the diverse Aphodiinae fauna associated with decomposition and nutrient cycling in African ecosystems.
Alloblackburneus cynomysi
Alloblackburneus cynomysi is a small scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, described from the south-central United States. The species epithet "cynomysi" references its association with prairie dogs (genus Cynomys), indicating a commensal or symbiotic relationship with these burrowing rodents. Members of this genus are generally dung beetles, and this species likely exploits the unique ecological niche provided by prairie dog colonies. The species remains poorly studied, with most records limited to historical collections.
Alloblackburneus geomysi
Alloblackburneus geomysi is a small dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It has been recorded from the southeastern United States, specifically Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. The species epithet 'geomysi' suggests an association with pocket gophers (genus Geomys). Like other members of the genus Alloblackburneus, it is likely associated with rodent burrows or their waste products. Very few observations exist, with only two records in iNaturalist.
Alloblackburneus lentus
Alloblackburneus lentus is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. Originally described as Aphodius lentus by Horn in 1870, it was later transferred to the genus Alloblackburneus. The species occurs in eastern and central North America, with records from the United States and Canada. As a member of the Aphodiinae, it belongs to a group commonly known as small dung beetles or aphodiine dung beetles, though specific ecological details for this species remain undocumented.
Alloblackburneus tenuistriatus
Alloblackburneus tenuistriatus is a species of dung beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae. It occurs in the south-central United States, where it has been recorded from Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The species was described by Horn in 1887 and is currently accepted as valid. As a member of Aphodiinae, it is likely associated with dung decomposition, though specific ecological studies are limited.
Annegialia
Annegialia is a genus of aphodiine dung beetles established by Howden in 1971. The genus contains a single described species, A. ataeniformis. It belongs to the tribe Eupariini within the subfamily Aphodiinae of Scarabaeidae.
Aphodius fimetarius
farmer scarab beetle
Aphodius fimetarius is a small scarab beetle native to Europe, commonly known as the farmer scarab beetle. The species has been introduced to North America, where it is now widespread in cattle dung. Recent taxonomic work has recognized A. fimetarius as part of a species complex with Aphodius pedellus; in Canada, only A. pedellus has been confirmed present. The beetle serves as a host for multiple parasites, including the tachinid fly Strongygaster triangulifer and the nematode Eudiplogaster aphodii.
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.
Ataeniopsis figurator
Ataeniopsis figurator is an aphodiine dung beetle described by Harold in 1874. As a member of the tribe Eupariini within the subfamily Aphodiinae, it belongs to a group of scarab beetles commonly associated with decomposing organic matter. The species has been documented across a broad North American range with additional records from Central America.
Ataenius abditus
Ataenius abditus is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is found across eastern and central North America, with records extending from Canada through the United States to Mexico. The species belongs to a genus of primarily dung-associated scarabs, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Ataenius alternatus
Ataenius alternatus is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Melsheimer in 1845. The species occurs across the southeastern United States and into Mexico. Like other members of the genus Ataenius, it is associated with decomposing organic matter and soil habitats. It is one of numerous Ataenius species found in North American turfgrass and agricultural systems.
Ataenius apicalis
A small scarab beetle in the dung beetle group Aphodiinae, described by Hinton in 1936. The species occurs across the southern United States and Mexico, with records from both Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Like other members of Ataenius, it is likely associated with decomposing organic matter, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Ataenius carinator
Ataenius carinator is an aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Harold in 1874. It is distributed across the Neotropical region, including the Caribbean, Central America, North America, and South America. The species belongs to a genus commonly associated with dung and decaying organic matter habitats. Limited specific ecological data exists for this species.
Ataenius cognatus
slender dung beetle
Ataenius cognatus, commonly known as the slender dung beetle, is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. First described by LeConte in 1858, this small scarab beetle has a broad geographic distribution spanning North America, Central America, and Oceania. It belongs to the tribe Eupariini within the subfamily Aphodiinae, a group often associated with dung and decaying organic matter.
Ataenius confertus
Ataenius confertus is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. The species was described by Fall in 1909 and is known from arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Ataenius, it is likely associated with decomposing organic matter, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Ataenius fattigi
Ataenius fattigi is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is found in North America, with records from the eastern and central United States. The species was described by Cartwright in 1948. Like other members of the genus Ataenius, it is associated with decomposing organic matter.
Ataenius gracilis
Slender Small Dung Beetle
Ataenius gracilis is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is native to the Americas but has been introduced to Europe and Oceania, including the Azores and Galápagos Islands. The species has been recorded from diverse habitats ranging from the Nearctic zone through the Neotropics.
Ataenius hesperius
Ataenius hesperius is a species of aphodiine dung beetle described by Cartwright in 1974. It belongs to the family Scarabaeidae and is native to western North America. The species is closely related to Ataenius texanus but occupies more westerly distributions.
Ataenius hirsutus
Ataenius hirsutus is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Horn in 1871. It occurs across the southwestern United States and Mexico, with records from Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas, and multiple Mexican states including Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, and Veracruz. As a member of the tribe Eupariini, it belongs to a group of beetles typically associated with decomposing organic matter and soil habitats.
Ataenius imbricatus
Ataenius imbricatus is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. First described by Melsheimer in 1845 (originally as Aphodius imbricatus), this species exhibits a broad geographic distribution spanning the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. It is one of numerous species in the diverse genus Ataenius, which comprises small scarab beetles often associated with decomposing organic matter.
Ataenius inquisitus
Ataenius inquisitus is a species of aphodiine dung beetle described by Horn in 1887. It belongs to a genus whose members are generally associated with decomposing organic matter and soil habitats. The species has been recorded from the southwestern United States and several Mexican states.
Ataenius ovatulus
Ataenius ovatulus is a small aphodiine dung beetle described by Horn in 1871. It is native to the eastern and central United States, where it inhabits grassland and turfgrass environments. The species is part of a genus whose members are frequently associated with soil and thatch layers in managed grass systems.
Ataenius picinus
Pitchy Scarab
Ataenius picinus, known as the pitchy scarab, is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. The species has a remarkably broad geographic distribution spanning multiple continents including North America, Central America, South America, Australia, and various Pacific islands. As a member of the Aphodiinae subfamily, it belongs to a group commonly referred to as small dung beetles or aphodiines, which typically inhabit decomposing organic matter. The specific epithet "picinus" refers to its pitch-black or dark coloration.
Ataenius punctifrons
Ataenius punctifrons is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, originally described by Cartwright in 1974. GBIF records indicate this name is currently treated as a synonym of Ataenius texanus. The species has been documented from the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, including multiple U.S. states and Mexican states as well as parts of Central America and the Caribbean.
Ataenius robustus
saline prairie scarab beetle
Ataenius robustus, commonly known as the saline prairie scarab beetle, is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is native to North America, with recorded occurrences across the central United States. The species belongs to a diverse genus of small scarab beetles, many of which are associated with dung and decomposing organic matter.
Ataenius setiger
Ataenius setiger is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It occurs in Central America and North America, with records from Mexico and the southwestern United States. As a member of the genus Ataenius, it belongs to a group of small scarab beetles commonly associated with dung and decomposing organic matter.
Ataenius stephani
Ataenius stephani is a small dung beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Cartwright in 1974. It belongs to the aphodiine subfamily, a group commonly associated with decomposing organic matter. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States and western Mexico.
Ataenius strigatus
Ataenius strigatus is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. The species was originally described by Thomas Say in 1823 as Aphodius strigatus. It occurs across much of North America and extends into Central America. Like other members of the genus, it is associated with decomposing organic matter.
Ataenius texanus
Ataenius texanus is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Harold in 1874. It occurs across a broad geographic range spanning the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The species is closely related to Ataenius hesperius, which has a more western distribution.
Ateuchus histeroides Weber, 1801
Ateuchus histeroides is a dung beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae. Laboratory studies have examined its feeding behavior, though specific dietary habits remain incompletely documented. The species occurs widely across the eastern and central United States. It is a member of the genus Ateuchus, a diverse group of scarab beetles often associated with dung and detritus.
Ateuchus lecontei
Ateuchus lecontei is a dung beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Harold in 1868. The species is native to the Nearctic region, with records from the eastern and southeastern United States. It has been introduced to Hawaii and other Oceania locations. Very few documented observations exist, with only 14 records on iNaturalist.