Dung beetles prefer dog poop, but their children pay the price
A study reveals that male dung beetles prefer dog feces for rolling into balls, which are then used to feed their offspring. However, this preference comes at a cost, as dog poop is less nutritious than that of herbivores, potentially impacting the development of their young.
Why it matters
This research sheds light on the ecological impact of domestic animals on wildlife, specifically how changes in available food sources can affect insect populations and broader ecosystem health.
Dung beetles are humble insects. They feed on the faeces of other mammals. In many species, a male dung beetle flies to a fresh pile of dung, shapes a piece of it into a ball, and quickly rolls it away from the pile so others don’t grab it.
Reputedly, male dung beetles have rolled dung balls a thousand-times heavier than their own body weight.
Terms & conditions | Institutional Subscriber
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in