Common dung beetle vs Common Field Grasshopper

Aphodius pedellus compared with Chorthippus brunneus

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common dung beetle	Common Field Grasshopper
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class same	Insecta (Insects)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Coleoptera (Beetles)	Orthoptera (Orthoptera)
Family	Scarabaeidae	Acrididae
Genus	Aphodius	Chorthippus
Species	Aphodius pedellus	Chorthippus brunneus

Evolutionary Relationship

Common dung beetle and Common Field Grasshopper share a common ancestor at the Class level: Insecta. (Insects)

Conservation Status

Common dung beetle

LC — Least Concern

Common Field Grasshopper

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common dung beetle	Common Field Grasshopper
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common dung beetle

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and United States.

Common Field Grasshopper

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, and Sweden.

Common dung beetle

<em>Aphodius pedellus</em>, a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, indicating a stable conservation outlook across its known range. The species has been documented in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States, with its distribution spanning virtually all terrestrial and freshwater biome types. As a member of the Aphodiini tribe, <em>Aphodius pedellus</em> typically inhabits pastures, meadows, and woodland edges where mammalian dung is available, as dung beetles in this genus rely on feces as both a breeding medium and a food resource. These beetles play a critical role in nutrient cycling and soil aeration, breaking down organic waste and accelerating the return of nutrients to the soil. Their burrowing activity beneath dung pats enhances soil structure and improves water infiltration. <em>Aphodius pedellus</em> is part of a guild of coprophagous insects that collectively support healthy agricultural and natural ecosystems across temperate Europe and North America. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.

Common Field Grasshopper

The Common Field Grasshopper (<em>Chorthippus brunneus</em>) is an orthopteran insect belonging to the genus Chorthippus within the family Acrididae. It is one of the most frequently encountered grasshoppers in northern and western Europe, typically inhabiting dry, open areas such as grasslands, heathlands, roadsides, and disturbed ground. The species is often found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats across its range. Geographically, <em>Chorthippus brunneus</em> is distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, and Sweden, among other European countries. The species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Adults are typically brown to grey in colouration with variable patterning, and males often produce a distinctive short, chirping song used in courtship. As a herbivore, this grasshopper typically feeds on grasses and other low-growing vegetation. Biological traits including average lifespan and body dimensions remain poorly documented in the scientific literature, though adults in temperate regions typically appear from mid-summer through autumn.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden