Seven-spotted Ladybird vs Red-Shouldered Aphodius

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Seven-spotted Ladybird Red-Shouldered Aphodius
Scientific Name Hippodamia variegata Aphodius rufipes
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Coccinellidae Scarabaeidae
Size 3-5 mm 10-13 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Predators Dung Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Seven-spotted Ladybird

A small, variably marked ladybird that is an important predator of aphids in agricultural settings. Often found in open, dry habitats. Less well-known than the common seven-spot.

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Did You Know?

Despite sharing a similar common name, this species is more tolerant of hot, dry conditions than the familiar seven-spot ladybird.

Red-Shouldered Aphodius

A medium-sized dweller dung beetle that is entirely black except for reddish-brown leg joints. It is strongly attracted to lights at night and is one of the larger European Aphodius species. Larvae develop inside cattle dung.

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Did You Know?

On warm summer nights, large numbers can be seen flying to artificial lights near cattle pastures.