FaunaNet

Dung
Beetles

of eastern NSW




Euoniticellus fulvus

Distribution
Throughout Central and Southern Europe and the Mediterranean Basin.

Introduced to Australia between 1978 and 1982 in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. Now established in all of these states. In open areas & pastures, mainly in cattle dung.

Description
Total length 8-12mm.  Light to dark brown

Head: Clypeal margin with 2 teeth. Surface flat, glabrous.

Pronotum: With symmetrical dark markings, no speckling. Surface densely covered with coarse punctures, shiny, glabrous.

Elytra: Striae impressed and moderately punctate. Intervals slightly convex. Dorsal surface with short bristles, and a line of longer setae along posterior margin. Pale, with faint darker markings.

Legs: Ventral surface of hind femora uniformly pale.

Abdomen: Pygidium slightly convex, strongly bordered, with numerous punctures bearing very short setae.

Sexual dimorphism
Female: No external differences other than the last abdominal sternite.

References
Cassis, G. & Weir, T.A. (1992) Scarabaeinae. pp 106-173. In: Houston, W.W.K. (ed.) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea. Canberra: AGPS Vol. 9.

Tyndale-Biscoe, M. (1990) Common Dung Beetles in Pastures of South-eastern Australia. CSIRO Division of Entomology.