Mexican records for Onthophagus gazella Fabricius (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Individuals of a dung beetle, Onthophagus gazella Fabricius, were first released in Texas in the early 1970's (Blume and Aga 1978). Since that time, the species has radiated from the release points and is now known to occur throughout much of the southem two-thirds of Texas and southern Louisiana (Fincher et al. 1983); however, little is known of the dispersal of 0. gazella into Mexico. During 1981 and 1982, collecting efforts in Neuvo Leon and Tamaulipas yielded 193 specimens of 0. gazella and indicated that the species has spread at least 300 km along the Gulf Coast south of the International Border. Two specimens were found within cattle dung; the remainder were taken at light. Extensive collecting at Aldama and black light traps run at Playa Cos (a coastal site ENE of Aldama) during late September 1981 failed to yield additional specimens. These are the southem-most localities where collecting was attempted, and are about 30 km south of Lago Republica Espanol where 10 specimens were collected during the same time period. All specimens are deposited in the Mississippi Entomological Museum at Mississippi State University.