Erpelschwanz-Raufußspinner vs Common dung beetle

Clostera curtula compared with Aphodius pedellus

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Erpelschwanz-Raufußspinner	Common dung beetle
Kingdom same	Animalia (Tier)	Animalia (Tier)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (Gliederfüßer)	Arthropoda (Gliederfüßer)
Class same	Insecta (Insekten)	Insecta (Insekten)
Order	Lepidoptera (Schmetterlinge)	Coleoptera (Käfer)
Family	Notodontidae	Scarabaeidae
Genus	Clostera	Aphodius
Species	Clostera curtula	Aphodius pedellus

Evolutionary Relationship

Erpelschwanz-Raufußspinner and Common dung beetle share a common ancestor at the Class level: Insecta. (Insekten)

Conservation Status

Erpelschwanz-Raufußspinner

LC — Least Concern

Common dung beetle

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Erpelschwanz-Raufußspinner	Common dung beetle
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Erpelschwanz-Raufußspinner

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Common dung beetle

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

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

Erpelschwanz-Raufußspinner

The Chocolate-tip (Clostera curtula) is a moth in the family Notodontidae (prominent moths), distributed widely across the temperate Palaearctic region from western Europe through central Asia. Adult moths are medium-sized with a characteristic chocolate-brown or reddish-brown distal area on the forewings that contrasts with the pale basal area — a pattern from which the common name is derived. The wings are held in a tent-like roof over the body at rest, which, combined with the hairy thorax, creates a convincing bark-like camouflage that provides protection from visually hunting predators during daylight hours. The larvae feed on the leaves of various willows (Salix), poplars (Populus), and aspens — trees common in riparian and lowland habitats throughout the species' range. Like other notodontids, larvae may be gregarious in early instars, feeding together before dispersing for later instars. The species produces two or more generations per year in warmer parts of its range, overwintering as a pupa in a cocoon on or in the ground. The IUCN classifies the Chocolate-tip as Least Concern; it is a moderately common and widespread species across Europe and Asia wherever suitable Salix and Populus host trees occur. It is attracted to light traps and is regularly recorded in moth surveys.

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.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden