Appearance
The adults of "A. stercorosus" grow up to 12–20 millimetres long and therefore they do not reach the length of the very similar common dung beetle. The body colour is blue-black, while the underside is usually metallic blue. The elytra have seven longitudinal slightly dotted grooves. The wings may be blue, violet or green. Antennae are reddish brown. "Geotrupes stercorarius" presents three keels on the outer side of the tibia of the third pair of legs, while "A. stercorosus" presents only two.
Distribution
This beetle is present throughout Europe It is also found in other regions of the world where cattle have been introduced, such as Australia..
Behavior
Adults can be encountered from June through the following spring. These dung beetles feed on feces, rotting fungi and tree sap. In spring they lay eggs in chambers at the end of a corridor dug in the soil that is approximately 70–80 centimetres long, in which feces of herbivorous and omnivorous animals are placed to feed the larvae. They may also feed on litter mold, decomposing fungi and "Phallus impudicus". The larvae overwinter and pupate in spring, requiring a year to complete the whole process.
Habitat
These beetles inhabit fresh areas of broadleaf forests, mainly beech forests; moist mixed forest; and fresh coniferous forests.References:
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