Investigation of the effects of cattle diet and nutrition on dung beetle attraction and utilization in Nebraska rangelands

Dung beetles are extremely important to the agricultural community through their role in dung removal, nutrient cycling, and the biological control of dung breeding pests and parasites. The removal of dung promotes healthy rangelands and improves production and livestock yield by increasing available forage and plant quality. With all the observable benefits of dung beetles, ranchers and range managers should know how to maximize numbers and diversity of dung beetles on their rangeland. However, no attempts have been made to quantify dung beetle services in regards to livestock diet quality. This study investigates the effects of dung quality and nutrient content on dung beetle services through a series of field and lab experiments. Pitfall trapping will be used to test the attractiveness of dung collected from cattle-fed diets of high (70-75%), medium (60-65%), and low (50-55%) digestibility. Additionally, burial speed and nutrient cycling rate will be measured in the lab for dung of all three qualities when challenged with Digitonthophagus gazella (F.). The results of this research could indicate the best livestock management practices required to conserve dung beetle services.