Onthophagus taurus
Onthophagus taurus, the taurus scarab, is a scarab beetle species in the genus Onthophagus.
O. taurus, a species of dung-beetles, has been utilized in the breakdown of manure on sheep and dairy farms worldwide.[1] In early 2012, new colonies of O. taurus were introduced in New Zealand to reduce the amount of manure that has congested over 600,000 hectares of available grazing land.[1] [2] These beetles pull the manure into the ground to create their brood balls, or egg chambers. This increases grazing space for cattle, reduces habitats for flies and bacteria, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.[3]
References
- ^ a b Losey, John. "The Economic Value of Ecological Services Provided by Insects". http://www.bioone.org/doi/pdf/10.1641/0006-3568%282006%2956%5B311%3ATEVOES%5D2.0.CO%3B2.
- ^ Barber, Andrew. "SFF Project Summary: The Biological Control of Pastoral Dung in New Zealand". http://maxa.maf.govt.nz/sff/about-projects/search/09-079/index.htm.
- ^ Nelson, Frank (October 21, 2011). "New Zealand Imports Foreign Workers: Dung Beetles". Pacific Standard. http://www.psmag.com/environment/new-zealand-imports-foreign-workers-dung-beetles-37230/. Retrieved December 27, 2012.
