Great benefits from little known beetle
The Cannibal Creek Landcare Group together with the Western Port Catchment Landcare Network organised a "Dung Beetle Field Day" at Sherwood Park Orchard in Bunyip on Tuesday. The event was designed to inform local landholders, farmers and other interested parties of the benefits of the little-known insect.
As the name suggests, dung beetles refer to beetles that feed on animal dung and use it to feed their offspring. Dung beetles provide many benefits to farmland and surrounding areas according to Graeme Heath of the Dung Beetles Ecosystems Engineers (DBEE) project and Charles Sturt University.
"Not a lot of people are aware of what these beetles can do," says Geoff. "Dung beetles contribute to healthier pastures as they aerate the land, fertilise and bring nutrients to the surface of farmed land," he said. In addition, dung beetles benefit farmland by stopping the life cycle of nuisance flies and parasites of livestock which leads to a decrease in the populations of these pests.
Mr Heath's colleague from the DBBE and Charles Sturt University, Dr Russ Barlow provided the keynote presentation to the crowd of 50 locals. Dr Barrow is a researcher with the DBEE project, which monitors the distribution, population and diversity of dung beetles across Australia. He monitors over 100 sites over one to two years to definitively establish where various beetle species have adapted and become successfully established.
Dr Barlow spoke about the beetles found in Gippsland, beetle identification, the DBEE project and how to capture, breed and relocate beetles.
A number of local farmers were on hand to talk about their experiences in setting up dung beetle nurseries on their farms for breeding purposes.
Dung beetles were first introduced to Australia by the CSIRO in the 1960s to reduce bushfly populations. In the early '90s, the CSIRO imported a further four species from Spain for bush fly control primarily in Western Australia.
In 2012 another two species were introduced in collaboration between the CSIRO and Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).
In 2018 the DBBE project commenced with involvement from Charles Sturt University and the MLA. The group is currently working on importing a specific beetle from Morocco which it is hoped will flourish in the cooler months in Southeastern Australia.
The DBEE also presented field days in Healesville and Fish Creek during the week.
More information on Dung Beetles and the DBBE project can be found at www.dungbeetles.com.au