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How to tell if your
beetle is a dung
beetle
References
Glossary
The importance of
Dung Beetles
Acknowledgements
Liatongus militaris (Yellow Shouldered Dung Beetle)
Distribution
Eastern Africa, from Ethiopa to South Africa.
Introduced to Australia between 1968 and 1979 in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Now established in all of these states except Western Australia. In open areas & pastures, mainly in cattle dung.
Description
Total length 8-10mm. Distinct yellow and brown markings on pronotum and elytra with broken black stripes running longitudinally.
Head: Clypeal margin untoothed. Surface coarsely and densely punctate, glabrous. A low, transverse keel between eyes. Eyes moderate, separated by about 10 eye widths.
Pronotum: Surface densely covered with coarse punctures, shiny, glabrous. 2-4 tubercles anteriorly.
Elytra: Striae impressed and moderately punctate. Intervals flat. Sparse stout bristles present posteriorly. Humeri prominent.
Hind wings: Fully developed.
Abdomen: Pygidium slightly convex, strongly bordered, with numerous punctures bearing very short setae.
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.
Copyright © Australian Museum 2016
Authors: Rebecca Harris & Dr. Chris Reid