DUNG BEETLES (COLEOPTERA, SCARABAEIDAE, GEOTRUPIDAE) ATTRACTED TO FRESH CATTLE DUNG IN WOODED AND OPEN PASTURE

The biomass of dung beetles attracted to fresh cattle dung was studied in a Mediterranean helm oak pasture ecosystem with a continental Mediterranean climate (supra-mediterranean level). Results indicated a nonuniform biomass distribution of dung beetles throughout the year. Major peaks of species activity and biomass concentration of dung beetles occurred in open areas of the pasture in the spring followed by minor peaks in the fall. Beetle biomass in the open pasture was greater than that in the wooded pasture. The species of dung beetles comprising the greatest amount of biomass and the most important species available to destroy cattle dung pats in Mediterranean ecosystems with a continental climate were Bubas bubalus Olivier, Onthophagus opacicollis d'Orbigny, Copris hispanus (L.), Capris lunaris (L.), and Onthophagus vacca (L.).