A new dung beetle has been introduced into Australia as part of the Dung Beetle Ecosystem Engineer (DBEE) project to control cattle dung for grazing areas in South Australia (SA).
The Gymnopleurus sturmi dung beetle, native to Morrocco, lives in a habitat and climate similar to that of SA’s during its late winter to spring season and was chosen to fill in the gap where most dung beetles are inactive.
“Dung beetles are ‘specialists in their field,’” said the lead researcher Dr Valerie Caron. “No single species active in all regions across all seasons.”
The beetles also work in two different ways, with some species disposing of cow dung via tunnel building, while others use the more well-known method of rolling. Tunnel beetles will create tunnels in the soil to bury the dung whilst rollers roll it into a ball before burying it.
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