Dor Beetle
Dor Beetle Facts
| Size | 0.6-1 inches (16-25 mm) |
| Speed | Unknown |
| Weight | 0.05-0.08 ounces (15-2,5 grams) |
| Lifespan | 2-3 years |
| Food | Fresh Dung |
| Predators | Birds, snakes |
| Habitat | Europe, North Africa |
| Order | Beetles |
| Suborder | Polyphaga |
| Family | Geotrupidae |
| Scientific name | Geotrupes stercorarius |
| Characteristics | Large black beetle, feeds on dung, has longitudinal grooves |
Main Characteristics
The common dung beetle, dumbledore or dor beetle, is one of about 150 dung beetle species found worldwide. In Europe alone, there are 59 species. They prefer habitats such as forests, fields, and steppes. These beetles are active both day and night and are capable of flying, although these little round creatures tend to be somewhat clumsy in the air.
Name
The scientific name is Geotrupes stercorarius. The term Geotrupes is derived from "geo" (earth) and "trupes" (to bore), which means it could be referred to as earth borer. The word "stercorarius" translates to "one who cleans out".
Life Style
Common dung beetles spend most of their time searching for fresh manure, finding a mate, and resting. They utilize day and night in different ways:
- During the day (ground activity): They crawl along forest paths, dig tunnels, and form dung balls.
- At night (flight activity): At dusk and during the night, they fly through the air. Since this requires a lot of energy, they take advantage of the cooler temperatures to avoid overheating. They buzz over meadows and forest edges in search of food. While they may be hard to see, you can hear them: they produce a deep buzzing sound.
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
The Common Dung Beetle measures 0.6-1 inches (16-25 mm) in length. Its wing covers feature distinct longitudinal stripes or grooves adorned with small, dot-like indentations. On its pronotum, there is a prominent, large dot-like depression.
Diet
Nutrient-Rich Excrement
Dung beetles are herbivores. They feed on what we often want to dispose of quickly: feces. More specifically, they consume dung (the feces of herbivores). Why dung, you ask? It is usually not fully digested and contains remnants of grass along with a valuable liquid. This liquid is home to tiny organisms that the beetles particularly enjoy.
Especially from Cows and Horses
The dung beetle finds the feces of cows and horses particularly irresistible. It typically flies in circles around these animals in the evening, waiting for something to “drop” for it. However, some dung beetles also have a taste for mushrooms or humus.
But: Only Fresh Dung!
If dung has been lying around for a while, the dung beetle can no longer make use of it, as the “tasty” liquid inside has already dried up.
Behavior
Defense
Dung beetles are unable to defend themselves. Instead, they have three clever tricks up their sleeves:
1. Playing dead: They pull all their legs tightly against their body and remain completely still until the danger has passed. For many predators that react to movement, they become "invisible" like a small stone.
2. Scare sounds: If they find themselves in a bird's beak, they chirp loudly to startle the bird. Additionally, the sound is quite unpleasant for the bird. With a bit of luck, it might drop the beetle.
3. Stink defense: The final trick is a foul-smelling liquid that the beetle releases from its mouth to deter enemies.
Symbiosis: Dung beetles act as taxis for mites
The dung beetle has a nickname: "Lousy watchman." This is because small, golden-yellow mites often hitch a ride on its underside. They use the beetle as a taxi to travel from one dung pile to another. In return, they "pay" the beetle by cleaning its nest of flies and nematodes by eating them. This helps protect the dung beetle's larvae from competition for food. Researchers counted an impressive 2,300 mites from 17 different species on 118 dung beetles in a study!
Senses and Abilities
The Navigation Artists
Once the beetle has formed a dung ball, it must quickly move away from the location in a straight line. Why? This is the only way to ensure it won't be seen and that its ball won't be stolen by other beetles. To navigate, it uses a skill we lack: it can perceive the polarized light of the sky – even when it's cloudy. Additionally, it uses the sun and the moon as a compass.
The Chirping of Dung Beetles
How is it Created?
The Common Dung Beetle produces sounds through a process known as stridulation. Essentially, its body acts like a ratchet: it rubs its hind hips against its abdomen. Since the hips have tiny chitin teeth and the abdomen features many fine grooves, this rubbing creates a loud crunching sound.
What is its Purpose?
The chirping serves two main functions. On one hand, the sounds act as a defensive and alarm call against predators (like birds or badgers). On the other hand, the beetles use the vibrations underground for communication during brood care and mating, helping them coordinate in the deep tunnels. Given that these tunnels can be 3.3-10 feet (1-3 meters) deep, this is quite beneficial.
