Two-Spotted Dung Beetle vs Alpine Crane Fly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Two-Spotted Dung Beetle | Alpine Crane Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Onthophagus nuchicornis | Tipula alpium |
| Order | Coleoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Scarabaeidae | Tipulidae |
| Size | 6-9 mm | 15-22 mm body length |
| Habitat | Grasslands | Grasslands |
| Diet | Dung Feeders | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Asia, introduced to North America | Alps, Central European mountains |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Two-Spotted Dung Beetle
A small, mottled brown and yellow tunneling dung beetle with two dark spots on the pronotum. Males have a single backward-pointing horn on the nape. It is one of the most common dung beetles in European pastures.
Did You Know?
This species was accidentally introduced to North America and is now one of the most common dung beetles on the continent.
Alpine Crane Fly
A large crane fly of mountain pastures and alpine meadows. Its larvae are soil-dwelling and feed on grass roots.
Did You Know?
Despite their fragile appearance, adults can fly in strong mountain winds.