Additional observations on the behavior of a tropical forest dung beetle, <i>Megathoposoma candezei</i> (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Abstract

Contrary to previous reports, Megathoposoma candezei, while avidly seeking human excrement will eat almost any other kind, including cattle manure. The beetles are active (searching for food) during the morning hours, and gradually decrease their activity to almost zero during the afternoon.

These beetles are able, if necessary, to abandon their food balls, which they can find again by smell. They react rather actively to any food source placed up to 50 m away, occasionally to that at 75 m, but not at 100 m.

A population density of 14.7 beetles per hectare confirms previous estimates.

From a colony of beetles kept in our laboratory, it was found that they construct brood pears and that the life cycle is probably six months.