Night-flying dung beetle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Night-flying dung beetle |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acrossus
|
| Species: |
rufipes
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The night-flying dung beetle, also known as Acrossus rufipes, is a type of scarab beetle. It was first described by the famous zoologist Carl Linnaeus in 1758. For a while, scientists thought it belonged to a different group called Aphodius, but now it's back to being known as Acrossus rufipes.
You can find this beetle in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and North America.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The beetle's scientific name, rufipes, comes from Latin. It means "red foot," which is a good clue about how its legs look! This name is also shared by other animals, like a spider called Sphodros rufipes.
Its common name, "the night-flying dung beetle," tells us something important about it. These beetles often fly at night from their homes in dung fields. Sometimes, they get confused by bright artificial lights in towns and end up near human houses.
Meet the Night-Flying Dung Beetle
This beetle has a body that can be dark brown or black. Its legs are black but often have a reddish tint. It's one of the bigger beetles in its group, usually measuring about 9 to 13 millimeters long. That's roughly the size of a small button!
Each of its hard wing-covers, called elytra, has ten ridges. The beetle also has a special shovel-shaped head. It uses this head to dig into the ground, which is very helpful for its lifestyle.
Life and Habits of the Dung Beetle
The night-flying dung beetle eats and lays its eggs in different kinds of animal dung. In places like the British Isles, you can usually spot them between April and October.
These beetles are very sensitive to light. During the day, or when there are bright artificial lights, they quickly dig into the nearest moist soil or fresh dung. They can sense when it gets dark, even from about 4 centimeters underground! As soon as all the light is gone, they come out of the soil. Then, they get ready for their night flights to find mates or new food sources.
Teamwork: Beetles and Mites
The night-flying dung beetle has a special partnership with tiny creatures called mites. These mites can attach themselves to the beetle's body, hiding safely under its hard shell. They stay securely attached even when the beetle is digging or flying.
The beetle helps the mites by giving them a safe ride and a way to travel. In return, the mites help the beetle! They eat mold that grows in the dung. If the mold wasn't eaten, it would cause the beetle's food to rot away too quickly. It's a great example of teamwork in nature!
