Dung Beetles...again

agmantoo · #21 08/23/08, 08:02 AM

nathan104
The manner that I have read to best observe the tunneling beetles is to locate a just deposited cow pat. Within a few minutes if you have a good population of beetles you should see these black 1/2 inch long insects land on the pat. Those little antenna like protrusions on the head are sensors for detecting "fragrance" and are super sensitive. Supposedly the beetle will run around on the pat and then rapidly descent into the fresh deposit. The beetle may emerge away from where it entered the pat and then submerge again. Once the beetle is content it will stay below the surface and start the task of depositing the dung in the tunnels it digs. If you see none of the beetles fly in but can locate a pat with evidence of digging around the perimeter you can turn the pat over and dig a few inches down and locate the beetles. The beetles will play dead and will not move as a ploy to avoid detection. Left alone for a minute or so they will start moving again making them easier to spot. I have never knowingly seen a real O. Gazella so I am uncertain if they behave in this manner. Let us know what you observe.

~Tomboy~ · #22 08/23/08, 09:16 AM

Here is yet another site about Dung Beetles, although it is from Australia.
Use the tool bars on the left, great info. It even explains on how to catch them.

http://www.dungbeetles.com.au/?id=12

darbyfamily · #23 08/24/08, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathan104

Im guessing we have the tunneling ones. After a day, it looks like dirt is coming up into the cow patty, then within a few days, the whole patty is gone and nothing but a small mound of lightdirt is left. Ive never seen them, not sure what else it would be.

This sounds like what we have.. I noticed that about 15 of the cow piles I walked past have what looks like ant hills coming up on the edge of them... but it doesnt happen over night at all.. seems to take a couple of days to finish off the pile.

I havent seen any of the beetles if thats what they are, but it is interesting to me to see how they work.

~Tomboy~ · #24 08/24/08, 10:45 PM

Saw this on another cattle forum, it's a video put out by "The Cattle Show" on RFDTV about dung beetles. It's almost 30 minutes long, but well worth the time.

http://www.24-7agtv.com/Joomla/index...rectlink&id=79