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beetle is a dung
beetle
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The importance of
Dung Beetles
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Demarziella interrupta
Distribution
North-eastern New South Wales north to Daintree, Queensland. In open or sparsely wooded habitats.
Description
Total length 3.5-4.1mm. Dark brown with a slight bronze sheen.
Head: Dorsal surface flat, with a few erect bristles. Very densely and coarsely punctate.
Pronotum: Very densely covered with coarse punctures, elongated in depressions. Elevations smooth and shiny. A few coarse bristles.
Pterothorax: Median lobe of metasternum with a low keel, posterior depression shallow or absent, setae absent.
Elytra: Odd-numbered elytral intervals wider than others, with a series of elongated tubercles, except on 1st interval. Tubercles also present on intervals 6 and 8. Each tubercle with one stout bristle on outer edge. Anterior portion of striae parallel, becoming strongly undulate posteriorly.
Legs: Inner apical angle of fore tibiae produced into a small rounded process. Outer teeth prominent.
Abdomen: Pygidium densely and coarsely punctate, the basal groove not enlarged.
Sexual dimorphism
Female: Fore tibiae with larger outer teeth, inner apical angle rounded, without process, spurs larger. Keel on median lobe of metasternum more prominent. Pygidium less convex.
References
Matthews, E.G. (1976) A revision of the Scarabaeine dung beetles of Australia. III. Tribe Coprini. Aust. J. Zool. Suppl. Ser. 38: 1-52
Matthews, E. G. & Stebnicka, Z. (1986) A review of Demarziella Balthasar, with a transfer from Aphodiinae to Scarabaeinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Aust. J. Zool. 34: 449-461
Copyright © Australian Museum 2016
Authors: Rebecca Harris & Dr. Chris Reid