Try for Free
tab list
Picture Insect
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Home Application Download FAQ
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Icon about
About
Icon about
General Info
Icon about
Search Tips
Icon about
Harmful or Not
Icon about
Beneficial Effects
Icon about
Common FAQs
Icon about
Popular Insects
Bull-headed dung beetle

Bull-headed dung beetle

Onthophagus taurus

A species of Onthophagus, Also known as Bullhorned dung beetle

Equipped with a striking pair of pronotal horns, bull-headed dung beetle employs these robust appendages in combat, vying for mating privileges—a behavior exclusively observed among the males of the species. Primarily a dung utilizer, this beetle plays a critical ecological role in nutrient recycling, feeding and breeding within the dung of herbivores, which it also expertly shapes into balls for transportation and consumption.

General Info About Bull-headed dung beetle
Instantly identify insects with a snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on bite assessment, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safe interaction tips, etc.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Attributes of Bull-headed dung beetle
Colors
Brown
Black
Habitat
Sheep and dairy farm
Adult Food Sources
Animal dung, decaying plants, dead organic matter, compost, rotting fruits
Larva Food Source
Decaying plant matter, dung, decomposed organic material, compost, humus
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Chewing mouthparts
qrcode
Img download isoImg download android
Rectangle
Distribution Area of Bull-headed dung beetle
This species is present in Australia, Europe, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Syria, Iraq, Transcaucasia, Asia Minor, Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia and USA (Texas).
Rectangle
Life Cycle of Bull-headed dung beetle
Egg The eggs are laid in protective environments and are usually white or cream-colored. At this phase, the bull-headed dung beetle is immobile and exhibits no external limbs or sensory organs.
Larva Upon hatching, the larva is a worm-like creature, primarily focusing on feeding to fuel growth. It's a soft-bodied, legged, and distinctly segmented creature with a voracious appetite.
Pupal The pupal stage is a period of transformation inside a cocoon, where the bull-headed dung beetle is immobile and undergoes significant internal and external changes, developing adult features.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult bull-headed dung beetle’s development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction.
Rectangle
Predators of Bull-headed dung beetle Larvae
Entomopathogenic fungi, entomopathogenic nematodes, predatory beetles, ants, moles, birds
Rectangle
Scientific Classification of Bull-headed dung beetle
Class
Bugs
Icon allow
Order
Beetles
Icon allow
Family
Scarabs
Icon allow
Tips for Finding Bull-headed dung beetle
Your ultimate guide to understanding insects
Unlock the secrets of insect life cycles, habitats, behaviors and observation tips!!
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Youth Habitat of Bull-headed dung beetle
Rotting and Decaying Matter
Rectangle
Habitat Preferences of Bull-headed dung beetle Through Different Life Stages
The larvae of bull-headed dung beetle typically reside in nutrient-rich soils or under dung pats, where they have access to ample organic matter required for development. These grubs are subterranean, often found in pastures or fields with livestock, as they rely on dung for sustenance. Adults of bull-headed dung beetle, on the other hand, are generally found in the same environments but are more mobile and may be seen on the dung surface as they feed and mate. Searching for the different stages involves sifting through soil near livestock grazing areas for larvae or examining fresh dung piles to observe the adult bull-headed dung beetle.
Rectangle
When is the Best Time to Observe Bull-headed dung beetle
The best time to find adult bull-headed dung beetle is usually at dusk or during the night when they are most active. Larvae can be found throughout the day under dung or decaying matter where they feed and grow.
Rectangle
What is the Best Weather to Observe Bull-headed dung beetle
Warm and humid conditions are ideal for finding bull-headed dung beetle as these conditions are favorable for their activity and for the development of their food sources and breeding sites.
Rectangle
How and Where Can You Find Bull-headed dung beetle at Different Life Stages
Larva Bull-headed dung beetle larvae are typically found in decomposing matter such as dung, compost, or decaying wood. One can locate them by carefully examining such substrates while wearing protective gloves for safety.
Pupal Bull-headed dung beetle pupae are usually embedded within or close to the larval feeding material. To find them, search the areas where larvae were present and look for cocoons or pupal chambers.
Adult Bull-headed dung beetle adults can be located by setting up light traps at night or by searching near sources of decomposing organic materials where they feed and mate, especially after a rain when the ground is moist and odors are more pungent.
Are Bull-headed dung beetle harmful?
Your Complete Pest Control Guide
Discover effective tips for preventing and eliminating pest infestations to keep bugs away from your home.
Download the App for Free
Beneficial Effects of Bull-headed dung beetle
Discover the hidden benefits of insects
Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
Download the App for Free
Decomposers
Decomposers
Items
Animal Feces, Plant Remains
Bull-headed dung beetle are essential in recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem by breaking down animal feces and plant remains. The larvae stage is particularly vital as they consume the decomposing matter, aiding in their growth and soil enrichment. Adults continue this process, contributing to soil fertility. Bull-headed dung beetle plays an underrated role in maintaining ecological balance.
Common Questions People Also Ask
Get Quick Insect Answers with a Snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and answers on bites, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safety tips!
Download the App for Free
Other Popular Insects
Western honey bee
Western honey bee

Western honey bee(Apis mellifera) is the most common species of honeybee in the world. Among the first domesticated insects, its cultural and economic impact on humanity has been vast and far-reaching, providing honey, wax and its services as a pollinator. Western honey bee faces challenges worldwide, such as colony collapse disorder, and populations are thought to be decreasing.

Read More
Arrow
Monarch butterfly
Monarch butterfly

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the most recognizable butterfly in North America. It is best known for its appearance, but should be better known for the fact that it has a 3000-mile migration that takes the butterfly 4 generations to complete. Their diet is also a natural deterrent for predators, as they eat milkweed, a poison that induces vomiting.

Read More
Arrow
Japanese rhinoceros beetle
Japanese rhinoceros beetle

The japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) is a massive beetle about the size of the palm of a hand. It's distinguished by its long Y-shaped horn, which it uses to fight other males with. It's a nocturnal bug that feeds on sap and sweet fruits. This species is sometimes kept as a pet due to its unique appearance and simple care requirements.

Read More
Arrow
Silkworm
Silkworm

The silken threads produced by silkworm during its larval stage have been highly coveted for millennia, manifesting as a luxurious fabric in human society. Remarkably, this creature has a singular diet, feeding exclusively on the leaves of its primary host plant from which it extracts the necessary nutrients to facilitate its transition into a non-feeding, winged adult.

Read More
Arrow
Menelaus blue morpho
Menelaus blue morpho

Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is a gorgeous butterfly with large, royal blue wings. Linnaeus named the genus Morpho the Aphrodite-Ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty for its extreme beauty. It is native to tropical rainforests. Though many butterfly gardens now cultivate them in captivity, there are still many people who never get a chance to see them.

Read More
Arrow
Atlas moth
Atlas moth

While the atlas moth (Attacus atlas) can't tell you where to find your country on the map, it does earn its name through other means. It is one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan that is far larger than its body, creating an abnormal comparison. In India, their silk is gathered in a non-commercial capacity and is considered to be more durable than the domestic silkworm.

Read More
Arrow
Flying peacock spider
Flying peacock spider

Both sexes reach about 5 mm in body length. Females and immatures of both sexes are brown but have color patterns by which they can be distinguished from related species. Also, the males dance to attract females.

Read More
Arrow
Multicolored asian ladybeetle
Multicolored asian ladybeetle

Often confused for the ladybug, multicolored asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis) is a separate species that, unlike the ladybug, is a household pest. It is considered particularly annoying for its habit of returning to places from which it is removed. One of the most variable species in the world, there are many different colors and patterns multicolored asian ladybeetle may display, making identification potentially difficult.

Read More
Arrow