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REARING METHODS AND MATING BEHAVIOR OF THE DUNG BEETLE, COPRIS FRICATOR (FAB.)
Abstract
Abundance of C. fricator (F) in the field appeared to be affected by precipitation. More beetles were available in the field 1-4 days after a rainfall and virtually no beetles were available for collection during drought periods. Two factors were shown to have a positive effect on the success of laboratory culture establishment: (1) mixing of sand with regular loam soil prior to introducing the beetles prevented retention of excess water than when loam soil was used alone. Excess moisture was detrimental to the beetles; and (2) the amount of water in dung apparently provided C. fricator with sufficient moisture and the addition of water to the cultures was unnecessary during rearing in the laboratory. Based on brood ball construction and ovarian measurements, C. fricator appeared to have one generation per year. Young adults emerged in late summer to early fall and feed heavily in preparation for the coming winter. The adults overwinter from late October to mid-March. Feeding resumes in mid-March and continues through May when oviposition takes place. Copris fricator males were attracted to and competed for mature females possessing 3-5 ovocytes. When the lateral sides of the fifth and sixth abdominal segments of the attractive females were waxed, the males lost interest in such females. This suggests that sexual attractants in C. fricator females are released from the fifth and the sixth abdominal segments. Females were tranquilized when males stroked them with their maxillary palpi when attempting to copulate. When the palpi were waxed males could no longer locate the female although they were still able to locate the dung. This suggests that detection of certain odor by the male is accomplished by use of maxillary palpi. Both sexes of C. fricator were involved in chamber construction and in dung removal and burial.
Subject Area
Entomology
Recommended Citation
TARURU, KIPROP DARIUS, "REARING METHODS AND MATING BEHAVIOR OF THE DUNG BEETLE, COPRIS FRICATOR (FAB.)" (1984). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8423834.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8423834