Selecting dung beetles [Scarabaeinae] from spain for bushfly control in south-western Australia

The relative abundance of 16 dung beetle species (subfamily Scarabaeinae) was investigated at an annual pasture site near Olivenza in S.W. Spain in the spring of 1981. The night-flying species Copris hispanus which was the dominant species, made up 63 % and 81 % of the dry weight of beetles in traps set at dawn and dusk respectively and left open for 24 h. Further observations in 1982 and in 1983 confirmed that C. hispanus and also Bubas bison which flies during the day and night, were the 2 dominant species in spring. It is proposed that they should be introduced to S.W. Australia as part of an attempt to control bush fly.