Common dung beetle vs Common Tansy

Aphodius pedellus compared with Tanacetum vulgare

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common dung beetle	Common Tansy
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Plantae (Plants)
Phylum	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)
Class	Insecta (Insects)	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)
Order	Coleoptera (Beetles)	Asterales (Daisies & Sunflowers)
Family	Scarabaeidae	Asteraceae (Daisy Family)
Genus	Aphodius	Tanacetum
Species	Aphodius pedellus	Tanacetum vulgare

Conservation Status

Common dung beetle

LC — Least Concern

Common Tansy

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common dung beetle	Common Tansy
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 Tansy

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (China, Japan), Europe (13 countries), North America (Canada, United States), Oceania and the Pacific (Australia), and South America (4 countries).

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 Tansy

<em>Tanacetum vulgare</em>, common tansy, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Asteraceae, native to temperate regions of Asia and Europe and widely naturalized across North America, Australia, and South America. It typically grows in disturbed habitats, roadsides, riverbanks, and waste ground, forming dense colonies through vigorous rhizome spread. The plant bears deeply divided, fernlike leaves and clusters of bright yellow, button-like flower heads in late summer. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List given its expansive, growing range. Common tansy contains toxic compounds including thujone and camphor, making it poisonous to livestock and humans in large quantities, though historically it was used as a culinary herb and medicinal plant. Its strong aromatic scent has traditionally been used as an insect repellent. The species is considered invasive in several regions outside its native range. It provides nectar and pollen for various insects. Biological traits such as precise seed output figures, individual lifespan, and biomass data remain poorly documented in standardized assessments.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇸 United States