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beetle is a dung
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The importance of
Dung Beetles
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Thyregis kershawi
Distribution
Extreme southern New South Wales & South-eastern Victoria, in wet Eucalyptus forest.
Description
Total length 9-11mm.
Head: Clypeal margin with two distinct teeth. Clypeal surface slightly depressed, smooth and impunctate in middle, wrinkled anteriorly. Frons strongly punctate. Frontoclypeal suture with a low, transverse ridge with 2 low tubercles.
Pronotum: Strongly convex, densely covered with fine punctures, and with large distorted annular punctures along hind edge.
Pterothorax: Mesosternum with some large annular punctures on either side of smooth median area.
Elytra: Striae with moderate annular punctures. Length of elytra less than twice the length of the pronotum.
Hind wings: Reduced to vestiges about half the length of the hind body.
Legs: Femora with fine to moderate punctures. Distal edges of middle and hind tibiae strongly scalloped, with tufts of setae on projecting portions.
Abdomen: Last sternite with punctures set in a pair of shallow transverse depressions on either side of a smooth midline.
Sexual dimorphism
Female: Clypeal teeth larger, clypeal surface not depressed, entirely wrinkled. Frontoclypeal ridge lower, tubercles more distinct. Prothorax slightly narrower. Last abdominal sternite with punctures interrupted medially.
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
Copyright © Australian Museum 2016
Authors: Rebecca Harris & Dr. Chris Reid