The dung beetle is a fascinating insect with remarkable abilities associated with its primary task of locating, processing, and burying dung. These beetles can be found across the globe and play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystems, as they help recycle nutrients and reduce harmful greenhouse gases. One characteristic that stands out is their impressive speed and strength.
Dung beetles, for instance, are known to travel long distances and roll balls of dung that can weigh up to 10 times their own body weight. They can also bury dung 250 times heavier than themselves in a single night link. These insects exhibit agility and endurance while performing their duties, making them efficient navigators and workers in their environment.
Some dung beetles even use celestial signals to direct their movements, ensuring they follow a straight path while rolling their dung balls during the day link. This intricate navigation system, combined with their physical prowess, signifies the amazing adaptability of dung beetles, making them truly remarkable creatures.
Overview of Dung Beetles
Dung Beetle Classification
Dung beetles belong to the order Coleoptera, family Scarabaeidae, and subfamily Scarabaeinae. They are classified into three main groups:
- Telecoprids: Roll dung into balls and move them away from the original dung source.
- Endocoprids: Live within the dung source and carry out their life cycle there.
- Paracoprids: Bury dung into the ground under the original source.
Dung Beetle Habitats
Dung beetles inhabit various environments, such as:
- Grasslands
- Forests
- Deserts
- Farmlands
These insects play a crucial role in recycling nutrients in ecosystems.
Size and Physical Features
Dung beetles vary in size, ranging from 2-30 millimeters. They have some common physical characteristics:
- Oval, stout bodies
- Clubbed antennae
- Strong legs enabling them to move and manipulate dung
For example, the Phanaeus vindex found in Texas A&M University is between ½ and 1 inch long, with a metallic blue-green and copper color. The difference between males and females of this species is the horn: males have a curved horn extending from the front of the head, while the slightly larger females lack this feature.
Roles in the Environment
Types of Dung Beetles: Rollers, Tunnelers, and Dwellers
There are three main types of dung beetles:
- Rollers: Create and roll dung balls away from the dung pile.
- Tunnelers: Bury dung directly beneath the pile.
- Dwellers: Live within dung piles, and do not move it.
For example, the Scarabaeidae, Geotrupidae, and Aphodiinae are families of beetles that are known for removing, burying, or consuming dung. Each type has distinct behaviors and plays different roles in the environment.
Seed Burial and Seedling Recruitment
Dung beetles contribute to seed burial and seedling recruitment through their activities. By rolling or burying dung, they inadvertently move seeds away from their parent plants, promoting seed dispersal and vegetation growth.
For instance, one study found that nine Scarabaeidae species, including endocoprids, paracoprids, and telecoprids, were involved in seedling emergence as a result of their dung manipulation.
Nutrient Recycling
Nutrient recycling is another vital role played by dung beetles. They break down dung, aiding in nutrient cycling in ecosystems and improving soil fertility. Earth-boring dung beetles, for example, are essential in mixing and aerating soil through their dung burial activities.
Comparison of Dung Beetle Types:
| Type | Behavior | Example Family |
|---|---|---|
| Rollers | Roll dung balls away from the pile | Scarabaeidae |
| Tunnelers | Bury dung directly beneath the pile | Geotrupidae |
| Dwellers | Live within dung piles, not moving it | Aphodiinae |
Pros and Cons of Dung Beetles in the Environment:
Pros:
- Seed dispersal and seedling recruitment, promoting vegetation growth.
- Nutrient cycling and soil fertility improvement.
- Reduction of parasites in the environment.
Cons:
- Some species may compete for limited resources, such as dung.
- Sensitivity to environmental changes, such as temperature, may affect their ecological functions.
Diet and Nutrition
Fresh Dung and Decaying Leaves
Dung beetles, being a part of the scarab beetle family, have a unique diet consisting primarily of feces1. Their strong sense of smell helps them locate fresh dung, which serves as their primary food. Some species also consume decaying leaves and mushrooms, supplementing their diet.
Herbivores, Omnivores, and Carnivorous Species
Dung beetle species can be classified into different categories based on their feeding habits:
- Herbivores: Consume only plant-based dung
- Omnivores: Consume both plant-based and animal-based dung
- Carnivorous: Feed on other insects and occasionally their dung
For example, Deltochilum valgum is a rare carnivorous dung beetle2.
| Feeding Habit | Example Species | Diet |
|---|---|---|
| Herbivores | Aphodius species | Plant-based dung |
| Omnivores | Onthophagus species | Plant-based and animal-based dung |
| Carnivorous | Deltochilum valgum | Insects and occasional dung |
Nutrient Intake and Benefits
Dung beetles obtain vital nutrients from their diet:
- Protein: Obtained from the dung of herbivores and omnivores, crucial for growth and reproduction
- Fiber: Obtained from decaying leaves and plant-based waste materials present in the dung, helps in digestion
Their unique dietary habits provide the following benefits:
- Breaking down and redistributing nutrients in the ecosystem
- Aerating the soil through their nesting and tunneling activities3
- Controlling populations of coprophagous insects, indirectly benefiting human and livestock health
In summary, dung beetles have a distinct diet based on feces, with variations in their feeding habits that impact ecosystems positively.
Reproduction and Parental Care
Mating Process
Dung beetles reproduce sexually, involving the joining of sperm from the father and eggs from the mother. Males locate and court females by quickly stroking their antennae and front legs on the female’s body. This specific process helps initiate the mating cycle.
Brood Balls and Nest Building
In some species like the Scarabaeus sacer, or sacred dung beetles, the parents have a unique method of ensuring their offspring’s survival:
- Parents create brood balls from dung, which will house and provide nourishment for their developing larvae.
- These brood balls are carefully shaped and rolled away from the dung source to prevent competition.
- The nest building process is crucial for providing safe and nutrient-rich environments for offspring, as well as promoting seedling recruitment in the ecosystem.
Larvae Development
During the larvae development phase:
- Females lay their eggs inside the brood ball, ensuring the future larvae will have enough food to grow.
- After hatching, the larvae consume the dung within the brood ball, growing and molting a few times before reaching the pupal stage.
- Eclosed adult beetles emerge from the pupal cases and begin their lives as new agents of the dung beetle community.
Dung beetle parents provide a certain level of parental care by creating brood balls, nests, and ideal environments for their offspring to develop. This process is essential for the survival and growth of the beetle population and contributes to maintaining a balanced ecosystem.
| Feature | Sacred Dung Beetle | Khepri |
|---|---|---|
| Mating and Reproduction | Sexual reproduction and courtship | Based on the dung beetle species |
| Brood Ball Creation | Carefully crafted from dung | Shared feature |
| Nest Building | Rolled away from dung source | Shared feature |
| Larvae Development and Care | Eggs laid inside brood balls | Shared feature |
Strength and Speed
How Fast Is the Dung Beetle?
Dung beetles are known for their remarkable strength, but they also have impressive speed. They can roll a dung ball weighing up to 10 times their weight and travel long distances to find their preferred poop. While exact speed measurements are scarce, these beetles need to maintain a speedy pace to cover up to 30 miles in search of dung.
Strength Comparison to Other Insects
Dung beetles, especially the species Scarabaeus viettei, are renowned for their incredible strength. In fact, they are considered the strongest animals in the world, capable of pulling 1,141 times their body weight. That’s like a human pulling six fully loaded double-decker buses.
To better understand their strength, let’s compare them to two other insects:
| Insect | Strength-to-weight ratio |
|---|---|
| Dung Beetle | 1,141x |
| Ant | 50x |
| Termite | 1x |
As you can see, dung beetles vastly outshine ants and termites in terms of strength capabilities, making them extraordinary insects.
Cultural Significance
Symbolism in Ancient Egypt
In ancient Egypt, dung beetles, specifically the species Scarabaeus sacer, were revered for their perceived connection to the skies. They were believed to roll dung into a ball, similar to how the god Khepri rolled the sun across the sky. This association led to the creation of scarab beetle amulets made of faience, a glazed ceramic material, usually blue or green in color.
Literature and Science References
Dung beetles have found their way into literature as well. Notable examples include a poem by William Butler Yeats entitled “The Collarbone of a Hair” and the short story collection “Insects: An Explanation” by Frederick Merrick White. In science, the dung beetle has become a symbol of nutrient cycling and habitat conservation.
Fossilized Dung Balls and Evolution
Fossilized dung balls, known as coprolites, provide insights into the evolution of dung beetles and their ecological importance. For example:
- The study of coprolites helps us understand prehistoric ecosystems
- These fossils indicate the types of plants and animals that inhabited specific regions
- Dung beetle evolution may be traced through changes in coprolite morphology
| Time Period | Habitat | Dung Beetle Species |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Egypt | Nile River Valley | Scarabaeus sacer |
| Prehistoric Times | Varies (based on fossils) | Undetermined |
Pros of studying dung beetles:
- Better understanding of ecosystem dynamics
- Insight into nutrient cycling and seed dispersal
Cons of studying dung beetles:
- Limited fossil record
- Difficulty in identifying species from coprolites
17 Comments. Leave new
The mites are probably a species of Macrocheles (family Macrochelidae). These phoretic mites commonly ride on dung beetles. They feed primarily on nematodes and fly eggs/larvae. – Barry
It belongs to the African genus Mecynorrhina, probably M. torquata ugadensis.
Though they might not seem the most logical choice of edible insect, dung beetles [adult-stage] are avidly consumed in Thailand and possibly neighboring countries. They’re soaked in water for a period of time, then roasted, “peeled,” and devoured. I haven’t tried them yet.
Dave
http://www.smallstockfoods.com
Genus Trypocopris has some individuals that look similar to this little fellow. From what I’m seeing, Trypocopris pyrenaeus has been reported in Portugal and looks somewhat similar, though the photos on google don’t show colors anywhere nearly spectacular as the one in the photo here.
Thanks for the lead. We did find this image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/58075272@N02/5817557326/in/faves-42068060@N06/
I think Jacob is right. Trypocopris pyraneaus seems to have a lot of color variability, but if you look for subspecies or variant coruscans, you’ll find some that look a lot like this guy. Very cool beetle.
Thanks Dave,
We are about to update the posting with your valuable information.
Do Earth Boring Dung Beetles fly?
There’s a single photograph of a”Eupoecila inscripta” on the attached website that loosk very similar to the one pictured here.
http://www.bowerbird.org.au/observations/11124
Thank you so much Jacob. We have updated the posting to reflect your comment.
Are these dung beetles rare? I found one — looks exactly the same — in the Los Gatos Mnts. Have good picture if interested.
You may submit your image using the Ask What’s That Bug? link on our site. Please use Dung Beetle in the subject line.
Chris, the specimen pictured is also from Los Gatos Mountains. I seem to find exactly one male in the pool, every year, at the same time each year (within a couple of days). Probably not terribly rare, just rarely seen.
Daniel , You have a beautiful Bradycinetulus ferrugineus ! They are rare as Eric said and come to lites. They are really cute and interesting little guys . Cheers ! Gene St. Denis Sierra Nevada Research
Awesome, thanks Gene.
Daniel, After further review….It could also be Bradycinetulus rex . It is in Bradycinetulus for sure and They are very few seen alive ( usually dead) , and at one time they were being considered to be combined with Pleocoma . But, thankfully that idea was nixed. Cheers and God Bless ! Geno P.S. Two days ago we received an 1 inch and a half of Snow at Tahoe’s Lake Level !
Thanks Gene.