Homepage | Dung Beetle Ecosystem Engineers

A guide to making dung beetles
work effectively on your property.

Featured media stories

CSIRO

A fungal-first: Pathogenic fungus found to infect dung beetles in Australia

02 Jun. 2023

Cow patty critters: An introduction to the ecology, biology and identification of insects in cattle dung on Canadian pastures

01 May. 2023

Meat and Livestock Australia

Restocking your smallest livestock

15 Mar. 2023

2GB

National Rural News

12 Jan. 2023

Max Walden, Producer. Guest: Leslie Weston, Research Professor at Charles Sturt University

Why we need dung beetles

02 Jan. 2023

Liv Casben (Canberrra Times)

Why one group spent five years in cow dung

26 Dec. 2022

About the project

They may be small but dung beetles can provide some big ecosystem benefits on-farm. The Dung Beetle Ecosystem Engineers (DBEE) project aims to fill in the gaps in the distribution of beetles in southern Australia by introducing new species.

It will also build on previous research to:

expand the distribution of existing species
develop a supply and distribution pipeline so more livestock producers can access beetles

The national research project will also quantify the ecosystem services and economic benefits provided by dung beetles.

The dung beetle project is expected to provide significant benefits to livestock producers, with aims to:

01. IMPROVE SOIL IN GRAZING SYSTEMS

02. REDUCE THE SPREAD OF DISEASES AND INSECT PESTS, SUCH AS BUSH FLIES

03. INCREASE PASTURE HEALTH

04. REDUCE NUTRIENT RUN-OFF INTO WATERWAYS

A natural performer

Dung beetles assist pasture growth, soil health and carbon sequestration

Get involved

LANDHOLDERS

The Dung Beetle Ecosystem Engineers Project would like to hear from landholders about your experiences with dung beetles. Are you interested in filling a seasonal ‘gap’ in dung beetle activity on your farm? Do numbers seem to be down as a result of any recent events such as sustained drought or previous flooding?

CITIZEN SCIENTISTS

Several levels of beetle activity monitoring will be run by DBEE. While the intensive monitoring is being managed by us we welcome input from groups wishing to be involved in less intensive monitoring. Data from across Australia will be a huge benefit to the DBEE project and allow us to get a big picture of dung beetle activity. If you would like more information on how your group or school might get involved please contact us.

BEETLE REARING

The dung beetle rearing and distribution team are especially keen to work with anyone interested in discussing the possible development of commercial rearing of beetles.

Email DBEE at dungbeetle@csu.edu.au if you would like to get in touch with our team.

Report your observations

MyDungBeetle Reporter lets you quickly and easily report your observations to Dung Beetle Ecosystem Engineers project experts across Australia. Anyone can help map dung beetle distributions by using their phone to make reports with up to four photos from their camera or gallery, and GPS location of the sighting. Our experts will attempt to identify your beetles and reply back to your device.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

App Store (iOS devices) | Google Play (Android devices)

Share your story

Have you got dung beetles on your property?
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

Tell us your story

Project partners

This project is supported by Meat & Livestock Australia, through funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources as part of its Rural R&D for Profit program.