Development of Copris tripartitus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Two Different Rearing Media

Abstract

Like many other sub‐social insects, Copris tripartitus Waterhouse requires parental care during the development period in the brood balls. Mass‐rearing is achieved by using indoor rearing systems and adding more dung after taking away the brood balls containing eggs. Without parental care, larvae are often affected by desiccation, as well as by fungal or sciarid fly intrusion of the brood balls. This study developed a good substitute for brood ball rearing medium. A significantly greater number of progeny survived to adulthood from broods produced by beetles reared on vermiculite medium (90.69±10.98%) than on peat moss medium (44.82±13.92%). Results of the study suggest that to protect the brood balls from desiccation and to produce healthy adults, 15‐20% moisture content vermiculite must be used as brood ball rearing medium for most species reared in the laboratory.

Lamellicorn beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) in Korea and Mongolia

“…It is worth mentioning that Bang et al . (, ) reared two Korean paracoprid species, Copris ochus (Motschulsky, 1860) and C. tripatitus Waterhouse, 1875 in different rearing media.…”

“…Dung beetles are threatened 2009) as I and II class endangered species, but their main threat and status are still unknown. Korean scientists are, therefore, interested in understanding the biology and ecology of certain species of dung beetles in order to reverse their declining trend (Bang et al 2001(Bang et al , 2003(Bang et al , 2008Huerta & Bang 2004), and this could be achieved by the development of mass rearing and reintroduction programs similar to those used successfully in Australia and USA (Waterhouse, 1974;Fincher, 1990).…”

“…Therefore, the thorough study on developmental biology and habitat ecology of this species is necessary. It is worth mentioning that Bang et al (2003Bang et al ( , 2004 reared two Korean paracoprid species, Copris ochus (Motschulsky, 1860) and C. tripatitus Waterhouse, 1875 in different rearing media.…”

Genetic diversity of the dung beetle, Copris tripartitus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), that is endangered in Korea

“…Copris tripartitus in Korea was previously studied for the development of brood ball rearing medium (Bang et al . ). In addition, this species was also used to study the effects of dung beetle activity on pasture productivity and soil structure (Bang et al .…”

“…This species is very similar to C. ochus, but C. tripartitus has a much shorter body (20-30 mm vs. 13-19 mm) and has a much more lustrous and obvious proneotum process (Kim 2000). Copris tripartitus in Korea was previously studied for the development of brood ball rearing medium (Bang et al 2003). In addition, this species was also used to study the effects of dung beetle activity on pasture productivity and soil structure (Bang et al 2005), and the effect of livestock insecticides on survival and reproduction (Bang et al 2007).…”