Calamosternus granarius

Dung Beetle

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

Calamosternus granarius

European origin
Dwelling species (endocoprids)

Size: 3.4-6.0 mm in length; 1.5-2.8 mm wide

Identification: Mostly black but can be reddish.

A dark dung beetle with a black head and pronotum. The wing casing (elytra) is a very glossy dark brownish black. The legs appear reddish. The head is densely punctate. The scutellum forms a pentagon up close. The scutellum is small, roughly 1/10th to 1/8th the length of elytra. The beetle is approximately 3-6 mm in length. — Calamosternus granarius, a kind of dung beetle. Photo by Hannah Tolz.

Range

Across North America and much of the world

Overwinter Life Stage

Adult

Generations per season

Spring and possibly fall

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.