Dung Beetle Survey of South East Queensland

7 March 2020
Date
Cow with flies - dung beetles

The Dung Beetle Survey of South-East Queensland was conducted in the hope of determining which species of dung beetle, imported and native, that were located in the region. The survey attempted to quantify the impact of the beetle population on buffalo-fly control.

13 species of imported spring-active beetles were identified through the survey. Four biologically important species – Onthophagus binodis, Euoniticellus africanus, Onitis pecuarius and Copris elphenor – were reported in large numbers, as was the previously under-studied native species Onthophagus wakelbura. The survey concluded that the presence of a well established and active dung beetle population reduced buffalo-fly survival rates by 80-90%.