Fascinating Dung Beetle Facts

Dung beetles are part of the superfamily Scarabaeoidea. Most species fall within the subfamilies Scarabaeinae and Aphodiinae, which are part of the scarab beetle family, Scarabaeidae.

There are over 6,000 known species of dung beetles worldwide. There are roughly 780 species of Dung Beetle in South Africa alone. The subfamily Scarabaeinae, is often referred to as “true dung beetles”.

Fossil evidence suggests that dung beetles have been around for over 65 million years and likely evolved alongside dinosaurs, feeding on their dung. Fossil records show that dung beetles co-evolved with both dinosaurs and, later, mammals. They are found on every continent except Antarctica.

Africa, especially sub-Saharan regions, hosts the largest variety of dung beetle species. They inhabit savannas, grasslands, farmlands, forests, and even deserts. Dung beetles prefer warm climates but some have adapted to cooler regions. They thrive in areas with abundant herbivores or livestock.

Some species live in burrows underground, while others remain above ground. There are three main types of dung beetles with each classified by how they interact with dung – rollers, tunnelers, and dwellers. Rollers shape dung into balls and roll it away to bury. Tunnelers dig beneath dung pats and bury dung underground. Dwellers live and reproduce directly inside dung without moving it.

Most dung beetles are small to medium in size, ranging from 5 mm to 30 mm long, depending on the species. They have a hard, shiny exoskeleton, often black, brown, or metallic in color. Their forelegs are specially adapted for digging and rolling. Males of some species have horn-like projections used in battles for mates.

Dung beetles are strong for their size, with some, like the horned dung beetle, that can pull over 1,000 times their own body weight. Some dung beetles walk in straight lines guided by the Milky Way to help guide them while rolling feces balls. Dung beetles are among the few non-human animals known to use the stars for navigation.

They roll dung balls with their hind legs, often while walking backward. As their name suggests, dung beetles feed primarily on faeces. They rely on the dung of omnivores and herbivores for food and nesting material. They prefer herbivore like cows and sheep dung, which contains undigested plant matter.

Some species feed directly from dung piles, while others bury it underground Others, known as “dwellers,” live and feed inside the dung pile itself. Dung beetles reproduce by laying their eggs in dung balls.

After mating, the female creates a brood ball and deposits a single egg inside. The larva hatches inside the ball and feeds on the dung as it develops.

Most species are solitary in their reproductive efforts. Each brood ball usually contains one developing larva. Depending on species and environment, a female may create multiple brood balls. The larval stage can last from a few weeks to several months.

The young beetle emerges from the dung ball fully formed and independent. Most dung beetles live up to 3 years in the wild. Their lifecycle includes four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Some species only live for a single breeding season.

Their survival largely depends on climate, predators, and dung availability. Dung beetles are essential for nutrient recycling and soil aeration. They play a major role in reducing fly populations by removing dung quickly.

Some cultures, such as ancient Egyptians, revered dung beetles as sacred (scarab beetles). The scarab beetle symbolized rebirth and was commonly used in Egyptian art and amulets. Australia imported dung beetles in the 1960’s to manage cattle dung and control pests.

They can bury dung 250 times their own weight in one night. Some species are nocturnal, while others are active during the day.