Dung beetles rapidly bury livestock dung, which improves soil health & pasture productivity, sequesters carbon and vastly reduces numbers of parasites and flies. Burying cattle dung also prevents nutrient runoff into waterways, protecting our inlet from poor water quality.
Cattle and dung beetles evolved together, so when livestock were imported into Australia (without their accompanying beetles), a huge dung – and fly – problem was created! The first dung beetles were introduced into Australia by CSIRO in 1968 and we now have many species across Australia, 16 species in Western Australia alone. The dung beetles closely follow livestock herds and will become locally extinct if no dung is available. There is no chance of dung beetles becoming a pest species.
Wilson Inlet’s catchment already has several species of dung beetles, but there are times of year when no dung beetles are active. With this project, we aim to establish extra species so we have beetles active throughout the whole year. To do this, we need to understand when and where dung beetles of different species are already active in our catchment. This will help us choose priorities for the release of new species, as well as pinpoint potential trapping locations for existing species.
Cattle and dung beetles evolved together, so when livestock were imported into Australia (without their accompanying beetles), a huge dung – and fly – problem was created! The first dung beetles were introduced into Australia by CSIRO in 1968 and we now have many species across Australia, 16 species in Western Australia alone. The dung beetles closely follow livestock herds and will become locally extinct if no dung is available. There is no chance of dung beetles becoming a pest species.
Wilson Inlet’s catchment already has several species of dung beetles, but there are times of year when no dung beetles are active. With this project, we aim to establish extra species so we have beetles active throughout the whole year. To do this, we need to understand when and where dung beetles of different species are already active in our catchment. This will help us choose priorities for the release of new species, as well as pinpoint potential trapping locations for existing species.
Beetle Friendly Farms
To increase the chances of our new species surviving, reproducing, and spreading, we will first release dung beetles on Beetle Friendly Farms – those with practices that support beetle survival. One of the biggest threats to beetles’ survival is the use of chemical drenches and insecticides on pastures, when dung beetles are active. Alternative drenches are available, and there are management practices which can further reduce the need for chemical drenches, without compromising stock health
How can I be a BFF (Beetle Friendly Farmer)?
- Reduce use of insecticide pasture sprays, chemical drenches and backlines where possible, or use only when beetles are not active
- If using insecticide sprays on pasture, don’t reintroduce cattle for as long as possible (beetles were killed when reintroduced after 5 days)
- Adopt practices like rotational grazing, to reduce the need for drenching or backlining
- Use worm egg counts in livestock dung to check parasite burden in livestock, rather than drenching routinely.
- Consider drenching only individual stock affected by parasites (identified by worm egg counts), rather than the whole herd.
- Substitute drenches and backlines that are less likely to be toxic to beetles, when necessary
- Keep a lookout for beetles, grab a photo and let us know when and where you see them!
More information on beetles:
Dung Beetles in the South West (dungbeetlessouthwest.org.au)
Homepage | Dung Beetle Ecosystem Engineers (dungbeetles.com.au)
Dung Beetles - The Australian Museum
Insects in overdrive: how dung beetles are helping farmers (nswfarmers.org.au)
Homepage | Dung Beetle Ecosystem Engineers (dungbeetles.com.au)
Dung Beetles - The Australian Museum
Insects in overdrive: how dung beetles are helping farmers (nswfarmers.org.au)
Download this 'Chemical Use' table HERE
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