Mexican dung beetle
Mexican dung beetle
Biocontrol agent:
Mexican dung beetle
Scientific name:
Copris incertus
What does it look like?
The adult beetle is shiny black (similar to black beetle) but has a shovel-shaped head which it uses for removing dung from dung pads. The male has a distinctive horn like a rhino.
Where is it found in Northland?
This dung-burying beetle was introduced to New Zealand via Samoa and is now found in the volcanic regions around Whangarei (Tikipunga and Maunu) and south of Kaikohe.
How does it feed and multiply?
Dung beetles feed and breed in the dung of herbivorous mammals including cattle, sheep, goats and horses.
The adult beetle can’t feed on anything solid such as grass roots. In fact, it feeds only on the liquid part of the dung by slurping it up. The dung beetle carves out dung balls from the dung pat and the female lays a single egg in each one. The balls are buried by the beetle in tunnels under the dung pat. The grub hatches from the egg and never leaves the dung ball, feeding on the dung, moulting through 3 stages and forming a pupa inside the ball. The adult hatches from the dung ball and flies to colonise new dung pads.
When is it seen?
Adult Mexican dung beetles are most commonly seen in February, March and April. They often fly at night and are attracted to light sources.
How do dung beetles benefit Northland agriculture?
The burying of dung by dung beetles reduces the area of pasture smothered by dung, improves nutrient cycling in soil, reduces parasitic worm load on pasture and reduces faecal pollution of waterways.
How are dung beetles best harvested for redistribution?
Dung beetles are easily transported in dung. Collect dung containing adult dung beetles in February, March, April and place in fish bins with the lids securely fitted. Transport to new areas and empty the contents of the bins, including the dung, in and around dung pads in pasture.