8 CIRCULAR 3 51, IT. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



ONTHOPHAGUS PENNSYLVANICUS Har. 



This species is common at Uvalde and has a wide distribution over 

 the United States. Its habits appear to be similar to those of 0. 

 anthracinus, but the egg and ball are smaller. A few specimens 

 have been reared, and the developmental period is about the same 

 as that of 0. anthracinus. 



PINOTUS COLONICUS (Say) 



This species, the largest of the dung beetles studied, has been 

 found only north of Uvalde. The burrowing habits in the field 

 are similar to those of P. carolmus (L.) previously described by 

 the writer. 3 Three beetles from the field were obtained in the sum- 

 mer of 1932, and two of these died the following spring. The re- 

 maining beetle laid five eggs before an accident caused her death. 

 The egg is deposited in a mass of manure, which has the appearance 

 of being pushed into a shapeless cavity branching away from the 

 tunnel. The egg is enormous, about one-half by one-fourth inch in 

 diameter. There is apparently only one generation a year. 



APHODIUS spp. and ATAENIUS spp. 



These species deposit their eggs in dung, and the larvae develop 

 within the droppings. Aphodius lividus (Oliv.) is abundant at 

 Uvalde, on one occasion 1,113 specimens being counted in a cow 

 dropping. Adults have been observed during the winter in the 

 field. The developmental period has not been determined, but it is 

 indicated from collections in caged cow droppings that 25, to 45 days 

 is required. 



THE ATTRACTION OF COPROPHAGOUS BEETLES TO CARCASSES 



AND MEAT 



In southwestern Texas dung beetles, particularly Canthon laevis, 

 are commonly seen in bait pans of blowfly traps. From a few to 

 several hundred dead beetles are often found in the water in bait 

 pans. The following species have been found in bait pans : 



Canthon laevis , Very abundant. 



Canthon lecontei Do. 



Canthon cyaneUus : Abundant. 



Phanaeus triangularis Occasional. 



Copris remotus Do. 



Onthophagiis spp Do. 



Many species of dung beetles have been taken at meat baits over 

 the southern part of the United States, and they are occasionally 

 observed at small carcasses. The beetles are probably attracted to 

 the meat by the odor. Meat may serve as food for the beetles, but 

 it is not necessary in breeding them at the laboratory. 



COPROPHAGOUS BEETLES AS A NATURAL CONTROL OF THE 



HORN FLY 



The species principally responsible for dung dispersal in south- 

 western Texas are Canthon- laevis, Phanaeus triangularis, and Pino- 

 tus colonicus. At times, particularly in springs when the rainfall 



3 Lindquist, A. W. See footnote 1. 



