Dung Beetle Facts
Dung beetles are among the world's smallest and most competent recyclers. For this very important reason, dung beetles are promoted and even brought in to places where they are absent. they are a necessary part of our planets system. Its fossils only go back to 40 million years ago, which implies as far as we know they were not here when the dinosaurs were in the area, though many other beetles were. All are coprophages, that just means eating feces. Many of the larger beetles are unbelievably strong by moving dung that is up to 50x their weight. In Australia they are regarded as real champions. A universal group of insects that eat almost entirely on animal feces. Adults are attracted to manure by its sense experience. Are also described to be efficient biological control representatives for horn flies and intestinal parasites of livestock. Moves a dung ball with its hind legs. Are not destructive at all! Nature uses the beetles to recycle minerals and carbon back into the soil to be used in humus for plants. Are also identified as scarabs. Are normally loners aside from the scant time they spend with their mates prior to reproductive purposes. Are one of the most important insects in the vast plain in Tanzania to the west of the Great Rift Valley in Africa known for its wildlife, for their love of dung. You can look at beetles as scavengers, any animal that feeds on refuse and other decaying organic matter and material nobody else wants. Are important at getting poop out of the way so other things can go about their lives without stepping in it.
The beetles are separated into 3 groups according to how they use the dung: Tunnel digging beetles are recognized for their skillfulness in relieving cattle farms of potentially damaging waste by setting it underground. Are signs of a healthy nutrient cycle by carrying pieces of manure into the soil and then processed by other soil organisms and the nutrients are made accessible to plants. Are found on every continent except antarctica. I am not sure about this one. Dried dung beetles are believed to be used by chinese herbalists for treating many different diseases. Watch this outstanding video from National Geographic. It shows an African species but ours is real close.
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