EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE PUBLISHING
×
Introduced Dung Beetles in Australia
A Pocket Field Guide
Spiral bound
December 2015
9781486300693
More details
- Publisher
CSIRO Publishing - Published
31st December 2015 - ISBN 9781486300693
- Language English
- Pages 80 pp.
- Size 6.5" x 4"
- Images 118 photos
$15.95
This field guide to introduced dung beetles in Australia covers all species found in Australia, including two newly introduced species. It will enable farmers, entomologists and the interested public to identify and learn about the basic biology of these beetles found in cattle dung.
Covering 25 species, including recently introduced species, each entry includes: scientific name, identifying features, distribution, additional information and is accompanied by at least one photograph and a distribution map. Dung beetles help farmers deal with the large quantities of manure that cattle herds produce each day. The establishment of colonies of introduced dung beetles has had multiple benefits for farmers: the activities of dung beetles help maintain clean, useable pastures, improve soil health and nutrient cycling, and dramatically reduce the breeding activities of pest flies breeding.
"This handy pocket guide, perfect for glove-boxes...will be a great resource for landholders, landcare groups and anyone who wants to identify and learn more about these amazing insects and the valuable role they play in our landscapes by enhancing pastures, improving soil health and reducing parasites."
Bruce Lord, Land for Wildlife South East Queensland
"This handy, pocket-sized and laminated field guide...will enable farmers, landcare workers and interested punters to identify and learn about the basic biology of these beetles found in cattle dung. Go and see what you can find!"
- Grass Roots
Introduction
The introduced beetles
Onitis pecuarius v. O. viridulus
New introductions
Native dung beetles
Other beetles in dung
Acknowledgements
References
Penny Edwards
Penny Edwards worked at the CSIRO Dung Beetle Research Unit in South Africa for five years researching the reproductive biology of dung beetles, and later in Canberra studying the effect of dung quality on dung beetle growth and reproduction. She was the technical co-ordinator on the 2001-2002 Queensland Dung Beetle Project.
Pam Wilson
Pam Wilson worked for the Northern Tablelands Dung Beetle Express project during which time she was involved in dung beetle monitoring, harvesting and release under the guidance of the Queensland Dung Beetle Project. After receiving a Churchill Fellowship Pam studied the effects of grazing management on dung beetle populations in South Africa.
Jane Wright
Jane Wright joined CSIRO in 1984 to work on the dung beetle project in South Africa. After a detour through stored grain research, Jane returned to dung beetles in her retirement and led the project to introduce Onthophagus vacca and Bubas bubalus.