Dung Beetles...again
 

I was outside yesterday, butchering rabbits. My oldest daughter, who loves to collect things-especially insects, came over to show me the little jar with a dung beetle inside. NO!!!!!!! :eek: She showed me where she found it and the dung ball was there, my question is, will this removal and replacement affect the course of things?

Fur,
From my reading I have learned that the rollers work in pairs. Once the dung ball is rolled to its final location the ball is placed in a hole. The female lays an egg in the dung ball and then the hole opening is covered and the pair move on to a fresh pat to repeat the process. Have you determined if you have any of the tunneler dung beetles of the Onthophagus gazella variety?

I'm not too sure, what do I look for? All I've seen them do is roll the ball, I haven't tracked them to where they take it. Apparently, there was only the one at the ball, at the time.

Here is a good pic of the Gazella
http://www.myrmecos.net/insects/Onthophagus2.html

The one we saw was similar to the picture but it didn't have the lighter brown coloring along the edges, it was all black. Or, is the coloring from the black light that was used?

If the beetle you saw had a dung ball that it was rolling it was not the Gazella species. Gazellas tunnel under the pat and have been known to dispose of a complete pat within a brief time. The ability to get the pat in the ground rapidly is what reduces the nitrogen going to atmosphere. PS.....I did get a "heads up" that there will possibly be a meeting next June promoting dung beetles. Time and location are to be determined. I will let you know when I receive more info.

Please post any info you get. I'm interested, too.

Genebo
Paradise Farm

Here is a book that I plan on purchasing. It could be a good source of information. Dung Beetles & a Cowman’s Profits

I don't suppose there are any dung beetles in Oregon? Are they indigenous anywhere in the US or are people introducing them?

Bugs that get RID of poo?! That would be a dream come true ;)

I introduced predatory wasps for the fly problem here this year and do believe that I'm seeing a decrease. I guess you have to build of the population to see much difference.

I believe they were introduced from Africa. When, I don't know. All I know is that we have a few and I would like a whole lot more.

When I grew up in Arkansas during World War II, they were a common site in our pastures. We called them Tumblebugs.

I've only seen one here in Virginia since 2001.

Genebo
Paradise Farm

Here is a good read IMO
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/dungbeetle.pdf

Me too I want to learn more about them. From what very little I do know is that pesticides have killed them off in great numbers...who wouldnt want a bug eatin poo..they take care of larve too.

Here is another good read. Make certain you read the last paragraph.
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/view_question.php?id=1314

Here is another interesting article: http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/dungbeetle.html

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.

Wierd, I hadn't seen a dung beetle in 2 years, then today walking to our mailbox, we saw 5! These are the rolling kind.

nathan104
From your description you have the good imported dung beetles. You are going to have to catch me some and mail them : ) Any chance you can get a picture of the largest one of the tunnelers you can find?

agmantoo- Well, Ive never seen them to take a picture. Do you just wait for the dirt to show up in the patty and then dig down around it? Any idea how deep they usually are?

Excellent article, agman. The US-Duh makes me sick. They may have stiffled the research, but we can do our part to spread the word on these magnificent critters. I have also posted a link to that article on my blog.

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.

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

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.

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