Seasonal variations in numbers, biomass and breeding patterns of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Southern France

Seasonal variations in numbers and biomass and breeding of 28 species of Scarabaeidae-Scarabaeinae and Geotrupidae were studied at 2 temperate sites and 2 mediterranean sites in southern France in 1978 and 1979, using cattle-dung baited pitfall traps. Maximum dung burial occurred when females were parous and ovipositing (i.e. during spring at the mediterranean sites and summer at the temperate sites). Using biomass as a measure of dung burial the most important spring active beetles at the mediterranean sites were: Bubas bison, B. bubalus, Scarabaeus laticollis, Onthophagus lemur and Copris hispanus, and at the temperate sites : C. lunar;s, O. vacca, and O. ovatus. These results confirmed the previous choice of C. hispanus, C. lunar;s, B. bison and O. vacca for introduction into Australia. In addition it is suggested that B. bubalus, S. laticollis and O. lemur be considered for introduction into mediterranean areas of south western Australia to complement those species already introduced for bush fly control.