Onthophagus nuchicornis

Dung Beetle

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

Onthophagus nuchicornis

Eurasian origin
Tunneling species (Paracoprid)

Size: 6.5–10 mm and oval

Identification: Black with a mottled brownish like elytra

A large stout dung beetle. Males of this species have a single horn protruding upwards from the head. The head is black. The pronotum is large, black, broad, and very finely punctuated. The elytra is light brown with black mottling. There is a lot of variation in the elytral markings. The beetle is approximately 6.0 to 8.0 mm in length. — Photo by Hannah Tolz

Range: Found across North America

Overwinter Life Stage: Adult

Adult Activity Period: Spring and summer

Diet: Mostly cattle and horse dung

Tunnelers

Dung beetle species that "tunnel" lay their eggs in the brood balls they have constructed in tunnels below the pat.

More tunneling dung beetles of New York

illustration of a cow pat with tunnels underneath filled 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

This is a side view of a dung beetle with a rough, dull, black head, pronotum, and wing casing (elytra). The pronotum has dense scattered tubercles which can be observed as small bumps covering the insect’s armor. The elytra also have these bumps which can be found with small white colored hairs. The scutellum is not visible. The male as pictured here has an overhanging horn-like projection that forms from the pronotum and extends over the head. The beetle is approximately 9mm in length.