Common dung beetle vs common swift

Aphodius pedellus compared with Korscheltellus lupulina

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common dung beetle	common swift
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class same	Insecta (Insects)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Coleoptera (Beetles)	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)
Family	Scarabaeidae	Hepialidae
Genus	Aphodius	Korscheltellus
Species	Aphodius pedellus	Korscheltellus lupulina

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Common dung beetle

LC — Least Concern

common swift

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common dung beetle	common swift
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 swift

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, 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 swift

<em>Korscheltellus lupulina</em>, the common swift moth or ghost swift, is a moth in the family Hepialidae, order Lepidoptera. It is recorded from Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, with a broader distribution across Europe and temperate Asia. The species typically inhabits grasslands, meadows, garden lawns, and field margins where its larval host plants grow. Adult ghost swifts are notable for their spectacular lek-like swarming behavior at dusk, in which males hover in groups to attract females, appearing to hover like ghosts over vegetation. Larvae of <em>Korscheltellus lupulina</em> feed underground on the roots of a variety of herbaceous plants and grasses, including hop (Humulus lupulus), which gives the species its specific name. Adults do not feed, having vestigial mouthparts, and live only long enough to reproduce. Biological traits including precise larval duration, adult size measurements, and detailed host plant specificity remain poorly documented at the species level. The species is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with stable populations across its European range and no significant conservation threats identified.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden