Species Aphodius pedellus

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Size · Identification · Range · Remarks · Works Cited

Moose Dung Beetle in New Brunswick - Aphodius pedellus

Aphodius from inside Pony dung - Aphodius pedellus

Aphodius fimetarius? - Aphodius pedellus

Dung beetle - Aphodius fimetarius? - Aphodius pedellus

Coleoptera. Scarabaeidae. Aphodius pedellus - Aphodius pedellus

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Coleoptera (Beetles)

Suborder Polyphaga

Superfamily Scarabaeoidea

Family Scarabaeidae (Scarab Beetles)

Subfamily Aphodiinae (Aphodiine Dung Beetles)

Tribe Aphodiini

Genus Aphodius

Species pedellus (Aphodius pedellus)

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

used to be treated as a synonym of A. fimetarius

Explanation of Names

Aphodius pedellus (de Geer 1774)

Size

Body length 6.5 - 8.0 mm

Identification

Oval, moderately convex, head black, pronotum black and reddish-yellow near front angles, elytra bright red-brown, glossy; head with 3 tubercles; pronotum of male with extensive median impression on disc; elytral striae distinctly punctate, intervals slightly convex and sparsely punctate.(1)

The best characters to separate from A. fimetarius are(2):

Relative protrusion and curvature of lateral lobes of the head (genae): moderately-strongly protruding and semicircular (= pedellus) vs. only slightly protruding, very flat, semi-oval or parabolic shape with the strongest curvature in front of the middle, and the posterior margin straight and ~ parallel to each other (= fimetarius)

Area near tip (apex) of elytra rarely smooth, with coarse reticulations, wrinkles, micro-wrinkles, or raised shiny spots (= pedellus) vs. subapical area of elytra smooth and dull, if with raised spots or fine wrinkles, never shiny (= fimetarius)

Apical end of elytral intervals flat, rarely with 4th interval extending to the tip (= pedellus) vs. convex elytral intervals at the apex of elytra often with 4th interval extending to tip (= fimetarius)

Range

native to Europe, adventive in NA(2); the only representative of the genus in Canada(1)(3)

Remarks

Nomenclatural issues are noted for this taxon(4)

Works Cited

1.	Synopsis of adventive species of Coleoptera (Insecta) recorded from Canada. Part 4: Scarabaeoidea... [through Cleroidea] Klimaszewski J, Langor D, Smith A, Hoebeke E, Davies A, Pelletier G, Douglas HB, Webster RP, Bourdon C, Borowiec L, Scudder GGE. 2017. Pensoft Series Faunistica 116: 1‒215.

2.	Making the cryptic visible - resolving the sp. complex of Aphodius fimetarius and A. pedellus by three complementary methods Miraldo et al. 2014. Systematic Entomology, 39(3): 531-547.

3.	Assessment of the Aphodius fimetarius–Aphodius pedellus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) species complex in Canada Kevin D. Floate, Diana Wilches, Paul Coghlin, and Andrew B.T. Smith. 2022. The Canadian Entomologist.

4.	Notes on the Aphodius (s.str.) fimetarius-complex ― morphology, taxonomy, nomenclature and worldwide distribution... Fery H., Rößner E. 2015. Linzer Biol. Beitr. 47: 459‒489.

Contributed by Chris Grinter on 31 May, 2013 - 6:08pm
Additional contributions by john and jane balaban, Phillip Harpootlian, Mike Quinn, Charlene Wood, v belov
Last updated 6 March, 2025 - 3:20pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2025 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Printer Friendly Version