Onthophage vacca
EN

Onthophage vacca

Onthophagus vacca

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onthophagus_vacca

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Onthophagus vacca faces severe population decline primarily due to the widespread use of veterinary pharmaceuticals, particularly ivermectin and other anthelmintics, which persist in livestock dung and are toxic to dung beetles. Agricultural intensification has reduced the availability of suitable dung resources, while habitat fragmentation isolates remaining populations. The species' specialized ecological niche as a dung beetle makes it particularly vulnerable to changes in livestock management practices and pasture conversion.

Threat summary

Habitat

Onthophagus vacca inhabits grasslands, pastures, and open woodlands where it depends on fresh mammalian dung, particularly from cattle and other large herbivores. The species requires well-drained soils suitable for tunneling and nesting, typically in areas with consistent livestock presence or wild ungulate populations.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Onthophage vacca classified as Endangered?
Onthophage vacca is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Onthophagus vacca faces severe population decline primarily due to the widespread use of veterinary pharmaceuticals, particularly ivermectin and other anthelmintics, which persist in livestock dung and are toxic to dung beetles. Agricultural intensification has reduced the availability of suitable dung resources, while habitat fragmentation isolates remaining populations. The species' specialized ecological niche as a dung beetle makes it particularly vulnerable to changes in livestock management practices and pasture conversion.
Where does Onthophage vacca live?
Onthophage vacca occurs in Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Denmark (plus 24 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Onthophage vacca?
The main threats to Onthophage vacca 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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