Food preference of some dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

The preference of dung beetles for different kinds of food materials was studied in Haryana, India, using pitfall traps baited with cow, human, pig, horse and goat dung. From 46 trials, 17 species, belonging to 6 genera (Catharsius, Onthophagus, Oniticellus, Onitis, Aphodius and Hybosorus) and 3 subfamilies of Scarabaeidae were captured. The greatest number of species and of individuals was captured with cow dung (14 species, 318 beetles), followed by pig (13 species, 251 beetles), human (16 species, 244 beetles), horse (10 species, 224 beetles) and goat (7 species, 25 beetles). The dominant species were Onthophagus catta (635 specimens) frequenting all types of dung, followed by Aphodius testaceus (89) on all dung types, and Onitis philemon (70) on four dung types. Five species were found feeding indiscriminately on all dung types, while 5 others visited only one or two dung types. Strict stenophagy was never observed.