Alpine Dung Beetle vs Yellow Swarming Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Alpine Dung Beetle | Yellow Swarming Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Geotrupes alpinus | Thaumatomyia notata |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Geotrupidae | Chloropidae |
| Size | 12-18 mm | 2-2.5 mm |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians | Europe |
| 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.
Yellow Swarming Fly
A tiny yellow fly famous for forming enormous hibernation aggregations in buildings, sometimes numbering millions. Larvae are predatory on root aphids in grassland.
Did You Know?
Can form hibernation clusters of millions in attic spaces, with individual aggregations weighing several kilograms.