Cellulose degradation capabilities of dung beetle, Euoniticellus intermedius, larva gut consortia

This study assessed the capabilities of the dung beetle, Euoniticellus intermedius (Coleoptera: Scarabaeida), larva gut consortia in degrading cellulose that can serve as glucose source for biofuels production. A total of 144 live dung beetles were randomly collected from a dairy farm and bred in a temperature controlled insect rearing room. On reaching the late second to third instar stage, dung beetle larvae were harvested, dissected and the gut micro-flora were cultured in medium containing cellulose as sole carbon source. Microbial growth (total protein concentration) and cellulose degradation activity (reducing sugars concentration) in the cellulose cultures were monitored successively for 15 days. Statistical analysis showed that there was significant microbial growth, but no significant increase in reducing sugar levels. Despite the lack of increase in reducing sugar levels, it was concluded that the dung beetle larva gut has micro-flora with cellulose degrading capabilities that allowed it to grow and survive in the cellulose minimal medium. Key words: Dung beetle, Euoniticellus intermedius, cellulose, biofuels.