Oscarinus

Gordon & Skelley, 2007

Species Guides

10

Oscarinus is a of scarab beetles in the Scarabaeidae, established by Gordon and Skelley in 2007. The genus contains approximately 19 described distributed across North, Central, and South America. Members are dung beetles in the Aphodiinae, with at least one species, Oscarinus rusicola, documented to inhabit cattle and contribute to nutrient cycling in agricultural settings.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Oscarinus: /ɔsˈkarɪnəs/

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Habitat

Cattle farms and pastures; specifically associated with cow where at least some have been observed to burrow and nest.

Distribution

North, Central, and South America. Specific records include the United States (including Vermont) and broader Nearctic region.

Diet

; specifically cow based on observations of Oscarinus rusicola.

Host Associations

Behavior

Mixes cow into soil, thereby reducing methane emissions, recycling nutrients, and outcompeting pest .

Ecological Role

engineer in agricultural settings; facilitates nutrient recycling, reduces methane emissions from , and suppresses pest through competitive exclusion.

Human Relevance

Beneficial insect in cattle farming systems. Vulnerable to cattle parasiticides that persist in , with documented sensitivity to chemical treatments used for fly, , worm, and control in livestock.

More Details

Chemical sensitivity

Research has examined the effects of multiple cattle parasiticides on Oscarinus rusicola and other dung beetles, with recommendations developed for farmers to minimize nontarget impacts on these beneficial beetles.

Sources and further reading