Ataenius strigatus

Dung Beetle

As part of nature's cleanup crew, Ataenius strigatus contributes to a healthier and more sustainable environment.

Ataenius strigatus

North American origin
Dwelling species (endocoprids)

Size: Ranges from 4 to 6 mm long and about 2 mm wide.

Identification: Dark reddish to brown color. They have a large number of densely spaced punctures on the pronotum.

A black dung beetle. The entire body is dark brown to black. The scutellum is dark and deeply punctured. The shape is flattened and elongated. The ridges in the elytra are deeper, more pronounced, and wider. The legs are slightly reddish. The beetle is approximately 3.2 to 4.6 mm in length. — Photo by Hannah Tolz

Range

Found across Northern North America

Adult Activity Period

Spring

Diet

Normally associated with cattle, sheep, and goat dung.

Dwellers

Endocorpids

Dung beetle species that "dwell" lay their eggs in brood balls they have constructed in the the pat or just below the surface.

More dwelling dung beetles of New York

illustration of a cow pat with tunnels inside with brood balls and dung beetles — Illustration by Hannah Tolz

About Dung Beetles

Dung beetles are a beneficial part of the agricultural integrated pest management toolkit, helping to control unwanted pests, such as horn and face flies. These industrious insects play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance by efficiently recycling dung, improving soil quality, and reducing the prevalence of harmful pests.

A Visual Guide

A mostly black dung beetle, reddish at the end of the wing case (elytra) over abdomen. Scutellum is punctate and relatively large, roughly ¼ the length of the elytra. The beetle is approximately 4-6mm in length.