Effect of condensed tannins in manure on scarab beetle development

The family Scarabaeidae includes over 30,000 species of beetles (Heinrich 1991). Of its members, some are considered beneficial, while others are known pests. Beneficial or not, many beetles consume manure. Moreover, a recent study indicated that condensed tannins in bovine manure altered the growth of house fly populations (Littlefield et al. 2011). Research of condensed tannins in manure drives the question of how condensed tannins affect beetles that utilize manure as a food source.  The problem is how to manage scarab pests without affecting beneficial insects. The purpose of this study is to determine if condensed tannins impact development of Green June beetles (pest) and dung beetles (beneficial). Future results of this study may suggest an alternative use of condensed tannins to control dung-dwelling pests.