Generic Guide to New World Scarab Beetles-Scarabaeidae-Aphodiinae

Aphodiinae Leach, 1815 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)
Aphodiine dung beetles
by Paul E. Skelley and Robert D. Gordon
University of Nebraska State Museum - Division of Entomology

NOTE: This is an archived document generated on: 19/MAR/2001
Current document available at: http://www-museum.unl.edu/research/entomology/Guide/Scarabaeoidea/Scarabaeidae/Aphodiinae/Aphodiinae-Overview/AphodiinaeO.html

Characteristics
Clypeus usually dilated to cover mouthparts (except Aegialiini and Annegialia [Eupariini]), usually medially emarginate. Mandibles hardened, usually concealed by clypeus. Antennae with 9 segments, club 3-segmented. Mesocoxae contiguous or nearly so. Metatibiae with 2 apical spurs; spurs mesad, adjacent or separated by basal metatarsal segment. Elytra nearly or entirely covering pygidium. Abdomen with 6 visible sternites. Tarsi with distinct claws.

Marco Dellacasa (1987, 1988a, 1988b, 1991, 1995) reviewed the current classification scheme for this subfamily on a world basis, provided a computer generated catalog of all taxa of Aphodiinae (or Aphodiidae) (M. Dellacasa 1987), and gave a bibliography of authors and publications for all taxa (M. Dellacasa 1988a). Additions and corrections to these works are in M. Dellacasa 1988b, 1991, 1995. These publications are presently the only comprehensive references on the subfamily.

In the Nearctic region, the subfamily includes 26 genera and over 350 species. Generalized faunal studies with keys to adults include: Downie and Arnett (1996, northeastern North America); G. Dellacasa and Gordon (1997, Nearctic and Neotropical); Hatch (1971, Pacific Northwest); Helgusen and Post (1967, North Dakota); Ratcliffe (1991, Nebraska); and Woodruff (1973, Florida). Faunal studies for other regions are currently in progress. Keys to larvae can be found in Jerath (1960) and Ritcher (1966). Jerath and Ritcher (1959) reviewed the biology of many species.

New World Tribes
Aegialiini
Aphodiini
Didactylini
Eupariini
Psammodiini
Rhyparini
Termitoderini

Ecology
Aphodine beetles occupy numerous niches. Many common species are generalist dung feeders, feeding on different types of dung. Many other species are highly specialized to feed on a specific type of dung or dung in specific situations (e.g., animal burrows). Other species are detritivores, feeding on decaying plant materials. Members of the Aegialiini are detritivores and are usually associated with sandy conditions, riparian, or littoral habitats. Some species of aphodiines live in association with ants.

References Cited
DELLACASA, M. 1987. Contribution to a world-wide catalogue of Aegialiidae, Aphodiidae, Aulonocnemidae, Termitotrogidae (Coleoptera Scarabaeoidea). Memorie Societa Entomologica Italiana 66: 1-455.

DELLACASA, M. 1988a. Contribution to a world-wide catalogue of Aegialiidae, Aphodiidae, Aulonocnemidae, Termitotrogidae (Coleoptera Scarabaeoidea) Part II. Memorie Societa Entomologica Italiana 67: 1-229.

DELLACASA, M. 1988b. Contribution to a world-wide catalogue of Aegialiidae, Aphodiidae, Aulonocnemidae, Termitotrogidae (Coleoptera Scarabaeoidea). Addenda et corrigenda (First note). Memorie Societa Entomologica Italiana 67: 291-316.

DELLACASA, M. 1991. Contribution to a world-wide catalogue of Aegialiidae, Aphodiidae, Aulonocnemidae, Termitotrogidae (Coleoptera Scarabaeoidea). Addenda et corrigenda (Second note). Memorie Societa Entomologica Italiana 70: 3-57.

DELLACASA, M. 1995. Contribution to a world-wide catalogue of Aegialiidae, Aphodiidae, Aulonocnemidae, Termitotrogidae (Coleoptera Scarabaeoidea). Addenda et corrigenda (Third note). Memorie Societa Entomologica Italiana 74: 159-232.

DELLACASA, G. and R.D. GORDON. 1997. Nearctic and Neotropical genus-group taxa of Aphodiini and their type-species (Coleoptera: Aphodiidae). Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale "G. Doria" (Genova) 91: 355-382.

DOWNIE, N.M. and R.H. ARNETT, JR. 1996. The Beetles of Northeastern North America. Volume I: Introduction, Suborders Archostemata, Adephaga, and Polyphaga thru Superfamily Cantharoidea. The Sandhill Crane Press, Gainesville. 880 pp.

HATCH, M. H. 1971. The Beetles of the Pacific Northwest. Part V: Rhypiceroidea, Sternoxi, Phytophaga, Rhynchophora and Lamellicornia. University of Washington Publications in Biology 16: 1-662.

HELGUSEN, R. G. and R. L. POST. 1967. Saprophagous Scarabaeidae (Coleoptera) of North Dakota. North Dakota Insects - Publication 7: 1-60.

JERATH, M. L. 1960. Notes on larvae of nine genera of Aphodiinae in the United States. Proceedings of the United States National Museum 3: 43-94.

JERATH, M. L. and P. O. RITCHER. 1959. Biology of Aphodiinae with special reference to Oregon (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Pan-Pacific Entomologist 35: 169-175.

RATCLIFFE, B. C. 1991. The scarab beetles of Nebraska. Bulletin of the University of Nebraska State Museum 12: 1-333.

RITCHER, P. O. 1966. White Grubs and Their Allies. A Study of North American Scarabaeoid Larvae. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis. 219 pp.

WOODRUFF, R. E. 1973. The Scarab Beetles of Florida, Part. I. The Laparosticti (subfamilies: Scarabaeinae, Aphodiinae, Hybosorinae, Ochodaeinae, Geotrupinae, Acanthocerinae). Arthropods of Florida and Neighboring Land Areas 8: 1-220.