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Post by nomad on Oct 19, 2016 10:56:14 GMT
Another post to try to kick start this section. Considering the amount of beetle species seen at Insect fairs I do wonder why we did not get more posts regarding these insects perhaps Coleoptera collectors are shy people. Dor (Dung) beetle Geotrupes species. "The beetles normally frequent grazing pastures - where they dig out a nesting tunnel under suitable dung and line the nest with dung for the larvae to feed on. But they are also found in woodland where they use decaying fungi or rotting plants as a breeding habitat." Taken from Nature Spot. These were the last Beetle species that I believe I will see this year in the UK. The males of one particular species were very common the end of September and early October in the old Forest. They are probably seeking out females and the lucky ones probably get to find them, because many get trodden underfoot by dog walkers. During June I found a larger female boring into clay, moss and the wood of a 1000 year old hollow Oak, she appeared to be in certain angles turquoise green, at other times bluish. Even earlier I found one of these beetles in my Garden during May. Not being an Expert I will decline to name the species shown here. Many Beetle species are challenging to photograph in Natural light, many occur in dark situations and they are not prone to hanging around. All images 2016. Autumn old Savernake. Note the mite on the beetles head in the image above. Female digging/egg laying in an old oak during June. Savernake In my Garden. Mite on the elytra.
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Post by wollastoni on Oct 19, 2016 12:56:52 GMT
I love dung beetles ! The most beautiful one I have seen is a European one Trypocoprys vernalis that I met in Switzerland on Monte Lema (1500m).
A jewel as you can see :
So shining that you can see me taking the picture in the elytra.
About mites, I have met some Geotrupes in Italy with hundreds of mites on them... pretty disgusting.
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Post by nomad on Oct 19, 2016 12:59:17 GMT
That's a lovely photograph Olivier and a super species.
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leon
Junior Aurelian
Birthday : Feb 5
Posts: 95
Country: United States
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Post by leon on Oct 19, 2016 15:19:16 GMT
I started to try to trap them this spring here in Michigan, but couldn't get any at all. I used both animal and human dung for bait. I don't know whether I'm doing anything wrong or whether they're rare here. A few years ago I saw one (male) rolling a dung ball with a female riding on top. I wish I had made a video.
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Post by wollastoni on Oct 19, 2016 15:52:57 GMT
leon > a pitfall trap with a plastic glass full of red vinegar in the forest should help you catch dozens of them in one night. Add some stones inside to be able to free them alive.
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Post by wollastoni on Oct 19, 2016 16:09:42 GMT
Maybe clearer with a schema
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Post by nomad on Oct 20, 2016 9:07:41 GMT
Now that is what I call dedication to one's collecting.
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