Horned Dung Beetle
CR

Horned Dung Beetle

Copris lunaris

Unknown

Photo: Photo: (c) gernotkunz, all rights reserved, uploaded by gernotkunz

Overview

The Horned Dung Beetle (Copris lunaris) is a large, robust scarab beetle distinguished by the prominent horn-like projections on the male's head and thorax, which are used in territorial combat. These beetles play a crucial ecological role as decomposers, burying and processing mammalian dung to create nutrient-rich brood balls for their larvae, thereby cycling nutrients back into soil ecosystems.

The Horned Dung Beetle (Copris lunaris) has experienced severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of grassland ecosystems across Europe. Agricultural intensification, including the widespread use of veterinary medicines like ivermectin that contaminate dung and reduce insect survival, has significantly impacted populations. The species' dependence on large mammal dung and traditional pastoral systems makes it particularly vulnerable to modern farming practices.

Threat summary

Habitat

Horned Dung Beetles inhabit open grasslands, pastures, and woodland edges where large herbivorous mammals graze, requiring areas with loose, well-draining soils suitable for excavating deep burrows beneath fresh dung deposits.

Other threatened species in Scarabaeidae

SandoldenborreCR

Sandoldenborre

Hoplia graminicola

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skoveldyngbagge

Euorodalus coenosus

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Amphimallon fallenii

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Hedeoldenborre

Amphimallon ochraceum

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Horned Dung Beetle classified as Critically Endangered?
Horned Dung Beetle is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Horned Dung Beetle (Copris lunaris) has experienced severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of grassland ecosystems across Europe. Agricultural intensification, including the widespread use of veterinary medicines like ivermectin that contaminate dung and reduce insect survival, has significantly impacted populations. The species' dependence on large mammal dung and traditional pastoral systems makes it particularly vulnerable to modern farming practices.
Where does Horned Dung Beetle live?
Horned Dung Beetle occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Horned Dung Beetle?
The main threats to Horned Dung Beetle are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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