Dung beetles in horse and cow dung and the use of de-worming substances

摘要

A survey of the dung living scarabids was carried out in north eastern Uppland during the summer 2005. A total of 19 species of the genus Aphodius were found as well as two species of the genus Geotrupes. One red-listed species Aphodius sordidus, was found at two localities during August. Differences between horse and cow faeces were analysed at species level and are discussed. Six species of Aphodius showed significantly different numbers depending of type of dung and four more species had this tendency. Since the number of grazing horses in Sweden is increasing we can expect a change in species composition of dung beetles and there could be negative consequences for dung beetle species favored by cow faeces, especially if they already are threatened Information about the de-worming routines at the farms was gathered during the field work and showed dominance for preparations containing ivermectine and pyrantel. De-worming occurred predominantly in spring-early summer. Differences in number of dung beetle specimens were analysed to trace effects from de-worming. No significant effects were obtained..