Insects and Spiders - non-native

Red Back Dung Beetle (Aphodius fimetarius) on Jan 28, 2018

Originally reported as Japanese Beetle (Popillia japonica)

Submitter has sample

Description of specimen

See photos. I have specimen if you want it.

Commentary

Hi, Thanks for your Hotline submission. This is not Japanese beetle, but some other beetle that is likely not a pest. Can't quite tell from the photo but it looks like a ground beetle (family Carabidae), which are predators on other insects. Japanese beetle adults are not around right now, as they emerge in June or July. Also they are much larger and more stout than the beetle in your picture. See this fact sheet:
http://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/insect/05601.pdf

Wyatt Williams
Jan. 29, 2018, 2:32 a.m.

It is actually Aphodius fimetarius, a European dung beetle from the Family Scarabaeidae, introduced with cattle from Europe. This is a very common species found associated with dung here in Oregon. Although exotic, it is not considered invasive.

Helmuth Rogg
Jan. 29, 2018, 7:29 a.m.

Resources

Red Back Dung Beetle information on iNaturalast

Location

Rural Polk County.

This insect flew in, landed on my windshield and folded its wings right after I arrived home from a brief shopping trip into town. I thought it a bit unusual looking for a ladybug. My children had participated in Lost Ladybug Project some years ago. Consequently, I captured it to photograph and it is currently saved in a small container. We have a couple ladybug books and I was unable to identify it to species. When my wife arrived home, she immediately suspected it a Japanese Beetle from her alerts as a Master Gardner.

Please reply if you want the specimen.

Expert Reviewer

Mr. Helmuth Rogg

© 2024 Portland State University | Contact us for questions regarding site content