COLEOPTERA > POLYPHAGA > SCARABAEOIDEA > Geotrupidae

Dor beetles, or dumble dors as some species are called, are medium to large sized scarab beetles that can occasionally be seen wandering along woodland paths, or found in the open on grasslands or heaths. They are often described as earth-boring dung beetles and, indeed, the best place to find them is near or under fresh dung. Their burrows will normally have been excavated close by.

There are 8 British species, Odonteus armiger (Horned Dor Beetle), which is the sole representative of the Bolbatocerinae subfamily, and seven rather similar species in the Geotrupinae subfamily. The latter range in size from 12-26mm, all with the same heavily-built rounded shape, black in colour, but often with green or blue metallic reflections. All species are good fliers despite their rather bulky appearance.

Anoplotrupes stercorosus (Woodland Dor Beetle) is regarded as common in western Britain and, as its name suggests, is primarily found in woodland. The species feeds on dung, fungi and rotting plant matter.

Typhaeus typhoeus (Minotaur Beetle) is more widely distributed generally, but with scattered local occurrence. The male is unmistakeable with two large forward pointing horns on front of the pronotum, but the female could be confused even though it also has horns, albeit small. It can also be found in woodland, although lightly wooded heath or moorland on well-drained sandy or chalky soils is preferred

Trypocopris pyrenaeus (Heath Dumble Dor) is a scarce species of southern sandy heathland, primarily in Surrey, the New Forest and East Dorset. It is very similar to Trypocopris vernalis, but separable by having a smooth, very shiny appearance with a lack of distinct elytral striae and sparsely punctured pronotum. Trypocopris vernalis (Spring Dumble Dor) is found in similar sandy habitats, but has a far more widespread distribution even though records are scarce.

The remaining species are Geotrupes spiniger (Common Dumble Dor), which is listed as locally common in some southern regions, but less so further north; Geotrupes stercorarius (Common Dor Beetle), considered as the most common and widespread species; and Geotrupes mutator (Violet Dor Beetle), the rarest Geotrupes, currently in decline with only scattered records.

Updated, Jan.25 (v.4)