by Marilyn Pease, HCMG |
Where
Would the World be
Without Dung Beetles?
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Belonging to the family “scarabaeidae”,
our native Texas dung
beetles may have a
humble day job, but, in
fact, are related to the
sacred scarabs of
Egyptian hieroglyphics.
Most are quite
attractive beetles, ½ to
one inch long, with
metallic blue, green or
copper wing covers. Some
are all black, either
shiny or dull. The males
have a horn on their
face while the females
are usually larger in
size. |
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Here in Texas we have
several species of dung
beetles, including
“onthophagus gazella
fabricius” which was
introduced here in the
1970’s by USDA
scientists. According to
our A&M AgriLife
website, this dung
beetle “removes 80% of
cattle dung in some
parts of Texas.” Given
that cow manure creates
a huge percent of the
methane that contributes
to global warming, the
lowly dung beetle — of
which there are 7,000
species — deserves a
little respect. |
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Definitely considered
beneficial, these
“tumblebugs” work in
pairs to roll a bit of
dung into a ball and
then into a trench where
the female will lay a
single egg. The typical
c-shaped white grubs
will hatch out and feed
on the dung. Using their
specially modified front
legs, dung beetles can
move more than 50 times
their own weight.
Dung beetles are found
everywhere in the world
except Antarctica.
Australia alone has 400
species. One type in
Australia is often
introduced into public
places to help control
dog poop.
So next time you see a
couple of little black
beetles tumbling along a
little ball of poop,
stop and say “thanks”
because without them, we
would be in deep
doo-doo! |
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