Common dung beetle vs

Aphodius pedellus compared with Orbilia comma

Key Differences

• Common dung beetle is Least Concern while is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common dung beetle
Kingdom	Animalia (животные)	Fungi (грибы)
Phylum	Arthropoda (членистоногие)	Ascomycota (аскомицеты)
Class	Insecta (насекомые)	Orbiliomycetes (Orbiliomycetes)
Order	Coleoptera (жесткокрылые)	Orbiliales (Orbiliales)
Family	Scarabaeidae	Orbiliaceae
Genus	Aphodius	Orbilia
Species	Aphodius pedellus	Orbilia comma

Conservation Status

Common dung beetle

LC — Least Concern

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common dung beetle
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.

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

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.

Orbilia comma is a minute discomycete fungus producing tiny, translucent to pale yellowish cup-shaped fruiting bodies on decaying wood and plant debris in humid forest settings. It belongs to a genus of small, inconspicuous fungi that play a role in decomposing organic material on the forest floor. Near Threatened, its status reflects sensitivity to woodland management changes and habitat loss.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 3 countries:

🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden