Alpine Dung Beetle vs Marbled White
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Alpine Dung Beetle | Marbled White |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Geotrupes alpinus | Melanargia galathea |
| Order | Coleoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Geotrupidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 12-18 mm | 46-56 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Omnivores |
| Regions | Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians | Europe, western Asia, North Africa |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Alpine Dung Beetle
A sturdy, dark dung beetle of high-altitude pastures grazed by livestock. It buries dung underground where its larvae develop.
Did You Know?
A single pair can bury a dung ball several times their own body weight in one night.
Marbled White
A distinctive butterfly with bold black and white chequered wings that resembles no other European species. Despite its appearance, it is a member of the browns family, not the whites.
Did You Know?
Uniquely, females simply drop their eggs randomly into grass while in flight rather than placing them on food plants.