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dung beetles!

Posts: 2603

posted 15 years ago

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I was happy to finally find evidence of these at our new house. I am thinking of introducing more...maybe a different species....(after I figure out which one is doing this

)

these little critters are amazing.
http://www.wyethah.ca/dairy.asp?pageid=d2pcy2

[img]http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/havlik1/permie%20pics2/permiepotrait3pdd.jpg[/img]

"One cannot help an involuntary process. The point is not to disturb it. - Dr. Michel Odent

Gwen Lynn

Posts: 736

posted 15 years ago

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Cool! I didn't know there were dung beetles in Okla. A quick google found this link. It mentions a rancher in Okla.

http://www.dailytexanonline.com/life-arts/devoted-to-dung-beetles-1.953538

Susan Monroe

Posts: 1093

Location: Western WA

posted 15 years ago

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I've read that they have them in Texas, and Charles Walters wrote a book (Dung Beetles & A Cowman's Profits - 2007) about them but I haven't read it yet (probably won't until winter).

Did you run across any info on how cold-hardy they are? Does the PNW have any? Would they live if they were imported? Would my chickens eat all of them? Do they handle chicken poop or just herbivore poop?

Sue

Leah Sattler

Posts: 2603

posted 15 years ago

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gosh I wish I knew sue! most references I have seen just point to their use for cattle and horse operations. I know I have seen where you can order them but now I can't find it. I don't know how cold hardy they are but I have also seen references to them being used in canada....but they may be reintroduced yearly. I would bet that chickens would eat them. I have found references to burrowing owls using poo to bait them.

had to go find that one 'cause its cool

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/09/0901_040901_owl_poop.html

[img]http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/havlik1/permie%20pics2/permiepotrait3pdd.jpg[/img]

"One cannot help an involuntary process. The point is not to disturb it. - Dr. Michel Odent

Joel Hollingsworth

pollinator

Posts: 2103

Location: Oakland, CA

posted 15 years ago

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Ra, ra, ra! Go beetles!

(obligatory Egyptian mythology reference)

"the qualities of these bacteria, like the heat of the sun, electricity, or the qualities of metals, are part of the storehouse of knowledge of all men. They are manifestations of the laws of nature, free to all men and reserved exclusively to none." SCOTUS, Funk Bros. Seed Co. v. Kale Inoculant Co.

Leah Sattler

Posts: 2603

posted 15 years ago

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would someone please get ra out of here? it was 104* yesterday!

my hubby finally caught one of the buggers in action a few days ago. rolling his little poo ball around. I didnt' have my camera though

[img]http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/havlik1/permie%20pics2/permiepotrait3pdd.jpg[/img]

"One cannot help an involuntary process. The point is not to disturb it. - Dr. Michel Odent

Gwen Lynn

Posts: 736

posted 15 years ago

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heh heh! I like the "ra" play on words!

Leah Sattler

Posts: 2603

posted 15 years ago

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there has definitly been an explosion in the dung beetle population here! whether or not it is due to timing or the increased availability of their favorite food (probably a bit of both) they are really helping to get the goat and pony poo broke down quickly now!

I believe dung beetles were held in reverence by many ancient cultures and I can see why!

[img]http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/havlik1/permie%20pics2/permiepotrait3pdd.jpg[/img]

"One cannot help an involuntary process. The point is not to disturb it. - Dr. Michel Odent

paul wheaton

author and steward