Ratmosphere Posted March 13, 2015 Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 As we all know, the Unites States Of America does not allow the importation or introduction of non invasive species to areas that do not have them living there. This is due to them destroying the ecosystem of said areas in which they do not inhabit. An example of this would be the Lymantria Dispar Dispar taking over parts of the east coast and killing an abundance of trees. How about insects that do not destroy flora and fauna and can help clean up the ground from disease? In this case, I'm referring to dung beetles. If one was to obtain a Phanaeus species of dung beetle, would they be able to survive unsupervised in a North Eastern summer? I only ask because I have a huge pile of rabbit pellets that need disposal of in only one enclosed area. Maybe I can even rear some larvae. What do you guys think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
platypusninja96 Posted March 13, 2015 Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 I saw a website awhile back that sold dung beetles from FL to other states for those who have farms for dung decomposition. They included in their "pack" some phanaeus and others. I would not think they could survive just because of the cold. If there was a mild winter then maybe one generation. This is just speculation as I don't have any facts to back this up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratmosphere Posted March 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 NOTE: This process would be strictly for spring and summer months. Once the climate changes to cold, they would be taken into a warm establishment. This is considering that they do not migrate from the enclosed area with dung or get harmed by predators. Any other thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shade of Eclipse Posted March 13, 2015 Report Share Posted March 13, 2015 Some non-native dung beetles have already been imported and naturalized in the US for dung removal and pest control, and we also have native Phanaeus species in many states. Non-native dung beetles were actually imported years ago into the US by agriculture because the native species were incapable of dealing with the large size and the abundance of manure produced by cattle and there were issues with flies and disease. They are not known to compete with native species, but rather attend to manure that the native species do not specialize on.You can easily obtain Phanaeus dung beetles such as Phanaeus vindex and Phaneus igneus that are native to the Eastern US when they're available in the summer and fall. They hibernate and survive the winter in their burrows, so as long as you don't allow them to freeze, they will be able to overwinter in cool climates. If you're thinking of letting the dung beetles free, you should be aware that dung beetles do have preferences for different types of poop. It's been observed that they will prefer poop from omnivores over poop from herbivores, so you'll most likely find that they'll leave the area in search of better poop if they are allowed to have options over rabbit poop. You can try to prevent them from flying away by placing a sturdy mesh cage over the poop, but be aware that they are diggers and can still disperse. Â I've tried rearing them on chicken poop, but they never managed to complete their life cycle before they started dying after a year in captivity. I may have underestimated the amount of fresh poop they required and given them too little for the production of brood balls. The three pairs I had always seemed to be able to use up all the fresh poop I was able to collect before more was available. Â Rabbit poop is an excellent fertilizer and soil amender, have you thought about just starting a vegetable garden? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratmosphere Posted March 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 Wow thats amazing that they have the potential to survive like that. Such a helpful tip, Shade, as always. And maybe I should start a garden. Nothing beats good ole homegrown organics. Thanks brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayden1611 Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 I sell phanaeus vindex, i have butt loads oof them at my ranch, but i wont have any till a littlw later this year, adult male-9$ Adult female-7$ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratmosphere Posted March 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Wow, not bad at all! Contact me when you obtain some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayden1611 Posted March 15, 2015 Report Share Posted March 15, 2015 Ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratmosphere Posted March 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 Thanks! I have some more questions so if somebody knows feel free to comment. Any idea on how long these live? Also, any knowledge on how long the larvae take to become adults? Could larvae survive in the frigid north east winter months? Note that this is under conditions of them bieng housed in a terrarium filled of dung in an empty dog house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hisserdude Posted March 16, 2015 Report Share Posted March 16, 2015 Adults seem to have short lives, a few months at most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratmosphere Posted March 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 I kind of figured. Im still looking for more answers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shade of Eclipse Posted March 17, 2015 Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 There's a good description of the Phanaeus vindex life cycle by the entomology department of the University of Florida. In laboratory conditions, they state that it took about six months for them to develop from eggs into adults. The adults are the ones that diapause, not the larvae or pupae, and then the adults were found to be able to live over a year. The longevity of the adults would most likely be related to diapause as in other beetles that hibernate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratmosphere Posted March 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2015 Awesome man, thank you for the information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 I sell phanaeus vindex, i have butt loads oof them at my ranch, but i wont have any till a littlw later this year, adult male-9$ Adult female-7$ Â Awesome, I always wanted to make some macro photos of these, amazing species! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted March 24, 2015 Report Share Posted March 24, 2015 Besides, did anyone breed these at home? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beetle-Experience Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Have ya'll seen this ? Â http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Rearing-Rainbow-Scarab-Beetles/dp/0980240158 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 I have seen it now:) We do not have it on UK's amazon, I suspect that the postage will cost at least as twice as the book:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratmosphere Posted March 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 No need! Â http://scabies.myfreeforum.org/sutra45160.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beetle-Experience Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 It's not too difficult, but you do have to get used to dealing with dung. Â In the US, any native Scarabaeinae are fine to ship between states, but exotics would require a permit. Â Â Steven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beetle-Experience Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Ratmosphere, Phanaeus would not be what you should be looking for if it's rabbit pellets you need removed. Â The imported, African dung beetle: Digitonthophagus gazella (one of the species that Shade of Eclipse mentioned) would be much cheaper and are less picky with regards to dung types that they will eat. Yes, they are small, brown and boring... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratmosphere Posted March 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Man, that's a dissapointment. I kind of figured after seeing the dung pictured in that link. Looks like big, rankin and stankin patty; quite different than the rabbit poo. I'm not sure I can deal with such fecal matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Thanks a lot for the link, Ratmosphere. Pretty awesome, apart that from what kind of poo they need:))) Still potentially very interesting, now I need to explore where to find some dung in London. There are stables in nearby parks, would the beetles use horse dung instead? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beetle-Experience Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Max, They don't really need dog - I have found them on horse, cow and pig and used cow for my breeding project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Thanks, so I understand the faeces needs to be fresh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beetle-Experience Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Fresh is better, and necessary for egg production. Adults will bury and/or eat tons of stuff, even dog food or beetle jelly, but will only spend the time to create brood balls when adequate poop is available. A lot of people will freeze the dung first, to kill anything already in it before giving it to Phanaeus, but you would likely need a separate freezer - I didn't freeze any when I was working with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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