Did you know that there are more than 20 introduced species of dung beetle in Australia? Eleven of these are found on farms across the Riverina, according to a new interactive map released by the Dung Beetle Ecosystem Engineers project.
The project website contains detailed information on all introduced species found in Australia, so you can learn all about their biology, distribution and seasons of activity.
The website has a wealth of handy information on dung beetles, and landholders can register for more information to get involved in the project.
About the Dung Beetle Ecosystem Engineers project
The Dung Beetle Ecosystem Engineers project, led by MLA and CSU, is working to fill seasonal and geographic gaps in the distribution of dung beetles across southern Australia, by introducing new dung beetle species and expanding the distribution of existing species. The project is also quantifying the ecosystem services and benefits that dung beetles provide for primary producers, and sharing this information with landholders.
The overall aims of the project are to:
- Improve soil in grazing systems
- Reduce the spread of diseases and insect pests, such as bush flies
- Increase pasture health, and
- Reduce nutrient runoff into waterways
The project runs from 2017 to 2022
