Rearing Onthophagus vacca and Bubas bubalus for release in southern Australia

Summary

Project B.ERM.0213 imported the spring-active dung beetles Onthophagus vacca and Bubas bubalus from Europe to fill a gap in dung beetle activity in early spring across southern Australia. The beetles were reared by CSIRO and in spring 2014 a small number of each species was released to high-care field nurseries in three locations in South Australia. This work was supported by Project B.ERM.0214, the final report of which was submitted on 22 March 2016. Interim support for the mass rearing program (February 2016 to January 2017) was provided by MLA. The outcomes of the current project (B.ERM.0216, 1 December 2016 to 1 December 2017 inclusive) are reported here.

The rationale for initiating the beetle importation project has been fully described in the final reports for Project B.ERM.0213 and Project B.ERM.0214. In brief, multiple agricultural, environmental and social benefits are expected to arise from the widespread establishment of the two new spring-active species across southern Australia. These include biological control of spring breeding in the bush fly, improved agricultural production in pasture ecosystems, reduced fertiliser use, biological control of gut parasites of domestic livestock, and improved water quality.