Common dung beetle vs Common thrips

Aphodius pedellus compared with Aptinothrips rufus

Key Differences

• Common dung beetle is Least Concern while Common thrips is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common dung beetle	Common thrips
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class same	Insecta (Insects)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Coleoptera (Beetles)	Thysanoptera (Thysanoptera)
Family	Scarabaeidae	Thripidae
Genus	Aphodius	Aptinothrips
Species	Aphodius pedellus	Aptinothrips rufus

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Common dung beetle

LC — Least Concern

Common thrips

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common dung beetle	Common thrips
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 thrips

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (5 countries) and North America (United States).

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 thrips

<em>Aptinothrips rufus</em>, the common thrips, is a small insect in the order Thysanoptera, family Thripidae, recorded from five European countries including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, as well as the United States. It is Not Evaluated on the IUCN Red List. This species is primarily a grass-feeding thrips, found on grasses and grassland vegetation across temperate regions. The name "rufus" refers to the reddish-brown coloration of adults. Like other thrips, adults are minute insects, typically 1–2 millimeters long, with fringed wings adapted for flight and dispersal across grass habitats. Populations can be locally abundant in grasslands during warm summer months. <em>Aptinothrips rufus</em> feeds by piercing plant cells and extracting sap, primarily from grass blades and stems. It typically completes multiple generations per year under favorable conditions. The species has limited direct agricultural significance compared to some other thrips pests, but plays a role in grassland ecosystems. Biological traits such as precise body weight, longevity, and egg production figures remain poorly documented in standardized scientific assessments.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

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