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The biology of a giant dung‐beetle (Heliocopris dilloni) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)
Author(s) -
Kingston T. J.,
Coe Malcolm
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1977.tb03239.x
Subject(s) - biology , dung beetle , scarabaeidae , burrow , brood , pupa , national park , ecology , wet season , predator , zoology , predation , larva
Heliocopris dilloni is the largest dung‐beetle found in the Tsavo National Park, Kenya, which during the biannual rainy seasons comprises the most important agency of elephant dung removal. The species is shown to exhibit considerable morphological variation. The mode of construction of the brood chamber is described together with details of development from egg to pupa. It is suggested that the depth to which these beetles burrow is related to avoiding the extreme climate near the surface and to predator avoidance.