Did you know…?
Australian livestock produce about 80-million tonnes of dung a year, which can take months to break down and results in a large portion of pasture surfaces not being grazed efficiently.
That’s where dung beetles come in.
Subscribe to MLA's e-newsletters
Stay informed with the latest red meat and livestock industry news, events, research and marketing.
Back to Research & Development
![]()
![MyDungBeetle Reporter app]()
![Beetles with benefits]()
![Dung beetle sightings]()
![FAQs]()
Dung beetles
Dung beetles play a critical role in Australia’s grazing ecosystems. By burying dung in the soil, beetles improve the flow of water, nutrients and carbon into the root zones of pastures, which in turn:
- boosts pasture productivity (dung beetles can increase the pasture growth response by ~30% over a two-year period)
- prevents build-up of flies and nematodes, leading to improved animal health and productivity
- assists producers to sequester carbon and contribute towards a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
For more information on dung beetles, see below or visit dungbeetles.com.au:
Five benefits of dung beetles
- Sequester carbon in the soil, assisting producers to reduce emissions
- Improve soil health in grazing systems
- Reduce the spread of diseases and insect pests, including flies and parasites
- Increase pasture health and productivity
- Reduce nutrient run-off into waterways.
Watch: The benefits of dung beetles for livestock producers
Watch this video to find out more about the benefits of dung beetles for livestock producers.
Video courtesy of Dung Beetle Ecosystem Engineers.
Considerations before introducing dung beetles
What should producers consider before introducing dung beetles on their property?
Firstly, producers should identify which beetle species are currently present on their property – see ‘What species are near me?’ below.
This is important as different beetles are active at different times of the year (see ‘Introduced species in Australia’), and gaps in activity will require different beetles to be introduced for maximum benefit.
Producers should select a supplier who specialises in distributing beetles to their region. Beetle suppliers will be able to assist in the appropriate steps for each producer to take to ensure successful introduction.
Spring to autumn active species
|
Species |
Length |
Flight time |
Distribution |
|
Copris elphenor |
20–25mm |
Night |
Queensland (Biloela) |
|
Euoniticellus fulvus |
8–12mm |
Day |
WA, SA, Victoria, NSW, Tasmania |
|
Euoniticellus intermedius |
7–9mm |
Day |
Throughout Australia except very dry and southern-most regions |
|
Euoniticellus pallipes |
9–12mm |
Day |
WA, SA, Victoria, NSW |
|
Euoniticellus africanus |
8–13mm |
Day |
South-east Queensland, eastern NSW |
|
Liatongus militaris |
8–10mm |
Day |
Queensland, NT, north-east NSW |
|
Onitis alexis |
13–20mm |
Dusk and dawn |
Throughout Australia, except Tasmania |
|
Onitis aygulus |
20–25mm |
Dusk and dawn |
WA, SA, Victoria, NSW |
|
Onitis pecuarius |
15–20mm |
Dusk and dawn |
South-east Queensland, eastern NSW |
|
Onitis vanderkelleni |
15–20mm |
Dusk and dawn |
Queensland (Atherton Tablelands and Gold Coast) |
|
Onitis viridulus |
18–23mm |
Dusk and dawn |
Queensland, NT, north-east WA, north-east NSW |
|
Onthophagus binodis |
11–13mm |
Day |
WA, SA, Victoria, NSW, Tasmania, south-east Queensland |
|
Onthophagus gazelle |
10–13mm |
Dusk and dawn |
Northern and eastern Australia |
|
Onthophagus nigriventris |
10–12mm |
Day |
Coastal NSW, south-east and highland tropical Queensland |
|
Onthophagus taurus |
8–10mm |
Day |
WA, SA, Victoria, Tasmania, NSW |
|
Sisyphus rubrus
|
6–8mm |
Day |
Central NSW, southern and eastern Queensland |
Autumn to spring active species
|
Species |
Length |
Flight time |
Distribution |
|
Copris hispanus |
16–26mm |
Night |
WA (near Williams) |
|
Onitis caffer
|
15–20mm |
Dusk and dawn |
WA, NSW, south-east Queensland |
|
Bubas bison
|
13–19mm |
Dusk and dawn |
WA, SA, Victoria, southern NSW
|
Spring to winter active species
|
Species |
Length |
Flight time |
Distribution |
|
Geotrupes spiniger
|
20–25mm |
Dusk and dawn |
Tasmania, Victoria, south-east and north-east NSW |
|
Sisyphus spinipes
|
9–11mm |
Day |
Queensland, north-east NSW |
Summer active species
|
Species |
Length |
Flight time |
Distribution |
|
Onthophagus sagittarius
|
10–13mm |
Dusk and dawn |
Coastal QLD, NT, far north-east NSW |
Late winter to midsummer active species
|
Species |
Length |
Flight time |
Distribution |
|
Onthophagus vacca
|
7–13mm |
Day |
Now being distributed in select locations |
|
Bubas bubalus
|
13–22mm |
Night |
Not yet established |
What species are near me?
Use this interactive map to find the dung beetle species known to be present near you.
Featured resources
MyDungBeetle Reporter app
MyDungBeetle Reporter lets you quickly and easily report your observation.
Beetles with benefits
The Ferguson family has seen the soil health benefits from dung beetle activity at their property for more than four decades.
Dung beetle sightings
Interactive map of dung beetle sightings reported during the DBEE project only.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about dung beetles.
Case studies
Articles
Get involved
The Dung Beetle Ecosystem Engineers (DBEE) project is currently rearing beetles for distribution to selected sites. These include new species of beetles that are currently not widely available in Australia.
To register your interest in participating in the project, visit: dungbeetles.com.au/get-involved
In addition, producers can report which beetles are located on-farm to assist with DBEE project monitoring using the DBEE phone app.
Contact
Program Manager – Sustainability and CN30
E: dmcnicholl@mla.com.au
Dung Beetle Ecosystem Engineers (DBEE)
E: dungbeetle@csu.edu.au
W: dungbeetles.com.au
F: DBEE Facebook page
