Mottled dung beetle
Onthophagus nuchicornis
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onthophagus_nuchicornis
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
The mottled dung beetle faces severe population declines primarily due to the widespread use of veterinary pharmaceuticals, particularly ivermectin and other anthelmintics, which persist in livestock dung and prove lethal to developing beetle larvae. Agricultural intensification has eliminated the diverse grazing systems this species depends on, while habitat fragmentation isolates remaining populations. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering the seasonal availability of suitable dung resources and shifting the timing of reproductive cycles.
Habitat
This species inhabits open grasslands, pastures, and heathlands where it depends on the dung of grazing mammals, particularly cattle, sheep, and horses. It requires areas with diverse grazing regimes that provide a consistent supply of fresh dung throughout its active season from spring to autumn.
Other threatened species in Scarabaeidae
Threatened in Åland Islands
Frequently asked questions
Why is Mottled dung beetle classified as Endangered?
Where does Mottled dung beetle live?
What are the main threats to Mottled dung beetle?
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