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An ecological study of an Australian dung beetle, Onthophagus granulatus Boheman (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), using physiological age-grading techniques

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

M. Tyndale-Biscoe ,
M. M. H. Wallace  and
J. M. Walker
M. Tyndale-Biscoe
Affiliation:
CSIRO, Division of Entomology, P.O. Box 1700, Canberra City, A.C.T. 2601, Australia
M. M. H. Wallace
Affiliation:
CSIRO, Division of Entomology, P.O. Box 1700, Canberra City, A.C.T. 2601, Australia
J. M. Walker
Affiliation:
CSIRO, Division of Entomology, P.O. Box 1700, Canberra City, A.C.T. 2601, Australia
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Extract

The distribution and seasonal activity of Onthophagus granulatus Boh. was studied at two sites in eastern Australia. It is a univoltine species, with peaks of activity in spring and early summer. Breeding cycles and periods of stress were demonstrated by the proportions of newly emerged, nulliparous and parous beetles and those resorbing oocytes. The optimum temperature for brood production was 25°C. The threshold of development was 11·3°C, and 495 day-degrees C were required for development from egg to adult. Dung quality and drought were important factors affecting survival and brood production in the field. The distribution of the species in south-eastern Australia is limited by summer rainfall and temperature.

Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 71 , Issue 1 , March 1981 , pp. 137 - 152
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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