Judy
I would not be too concerned about predation on your dung-beetles, if they are
well established. I imagine the species concerned have been introduced from
Africa, as have most of our exotic dung-beetles (our many native species mostly
shun cow pats). In Africa, there are many mammals and birds that feed on
dung-beetles (admittedly, the abundance of dung-beetles, in species and numbers
can be astounding) and populations still thrive. I suspect that you will
continue to see your cow-pats efficiently disposed of by dung-beetles, courtesy
of the CSIRO, who researched and imported over 60 species of dung-beetles,
mostly from Africa.
Cheers
Ian
on 02/07/2001 22:55:28
To:
cc: (bcc: Ian Temby/NRE)
Subject: Birds and beetles
Beetle eating birds are not always welcome. We have managed to establish a
thriving population of dung beetles on our cattle property, which are making
short work of all the cow pats. This year the strawnecked ibis have found
them, and a flock of 20-30 arrive every morning to work over the paddocks.
We are hoping they don't tell too many of their friends. I also see quite
a few magpies standing over a cow pat waiting for something to move.
Luckily the dung beetles fly at dusk - the air hums where cattle congregate.
Judy Frankenberg
***************************************************************************
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and are
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are
addressed. If you are not the original recipient, any use, dissemination,
forwarding, printing, or copying of this email is strictly prohibited.
If you received this email in error, please notify the sender.
This message has been scanned for viruses by the Dragnet CleanMail Service.
***************************************************************************
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
www.shc.melb.catholic.edu.au/home/birding/index.html
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message
"unsubscribe birding-aus" (no quotes, no Subject line)
to
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
www.shc.melb.catholic.edu.au/home/birding/index.html
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message
"unsubscribe birding-aus" (no quotes, no Subject line)
to
|
