Flightless Dung Beetle

Afrikaans name: Vluglose miskruier

Photo © bondsza - Fotolia.com

Circellium bacchus

The Flightless Dung Beetle is endemic to South Africa and even then it is restricted to a few areas. It is the most interesting of all insects found in its preferref habitat which is Albany Thicket. I wonder if the dense bush in this habitat is the reason for it losing the ability to fly?

Unlike other Dung Beetles this one cannot fly which is how it gets its common name. The Flightless Dung Beetle can grow to a length of just over 4 cm.

The future of this beetle relies on areas with big game such as Elephant and Buffalo being protected. It mainly feeds off their dung, and uses it for laying their eggs in.

During the 1990's there was a growing awareness that Addo was the stronghold for this species yet numerous beetles were being run over by cars in the reserve. This led to pressure being put on the park to put up signs asking visitors to avoid driving over them.

References and further reading

Pollinators, Predators and Parasites - Author: C. Scholtz, J. Scholtz, H. De Klerk - Published: 2021 - Page: 279

Pollinators, Predators and Parasites - Author: C. Scholtz, J. Scholtz, H. De Klerk - Published: 2021 - Page: 281

Wild Issue 26 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 62

Field Guide to Insects of South Africa - Author: Mike Picker, Charles Griffiths and Alan Weaving - Published: 0 - Page: 212

University of Pretoria

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