(Onthophagus nuchicornis)
The Dung Beetle (Onthophagus nuchicornis) in this video is a male. Onthophagus nuchicornis is a common type of Dung Beetle found across BC.
Dung Beetle is a group of beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, insect order Coleoptera. They are important insects that help dramatically with the decomposition of animal manure. There are several species; some live in woodlands, others dwell in pastures, and some live in dog manure. They are a great help in aerating the soil and adding nutrients to the ground.
Dung beetles contribute significantly to nutrient recycling and soil health. By feeding on dung, they help decompose organic matter, which enriches the soil. Their burrowing activities aerate the ground, improving water retention and promoting plant growth. Additionally, they can help control parasites found in animal feces, making them vital for livestock health. Observing dung beetle behaviour is one of the best ways to identify them in the field.
The adult Dung Beetle range in size from 2 to over 50 mm in length. Most of these beetles are dark brown or black, but a few have bright patterns or metallic colours.
They feed on dung, feces, and scat. Some dung beetles are called tunnelers, which bury their dung balls; some can bury dung balls 250 times bigger than themselves in a single night. Some others are called rollers as they will roll dung into balls to use as food or a breeding chamber. Another group of dung beetles are called dwellers, as they do not roll up dung or bury it; they simply live in dung.
These are amazing little creatures to watch, but you should be out at night to see them at work. They come in a variety of sizes and colours; the one in the photo was from Vancouver Island.