Oscarinus rusicola
(Melsheimer, 1845)
Oscarinus rusicola is a in the , found across much of Canada and the northern and eastern United States. It is primarily associated with cattle , where it buries into soil. This activity reduces methane emissions, recycles nutrients, and suppresses pest . The species is sensitive to cattle parasiticides that persist in dung.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Oscarinus rusicola: /ɔˈskaːrɪnəs ˈruːsikɔla/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Habitat
Agricultural and pastoral environments with cattle presence; open grasslands and pastures where livestock accumulates.
Distribution
Nearctic region: Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan) and United States (Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin).
Diet
feed on cattle ; specific larval diet not documented in available sources.
Host Associations
- cattle - sourceprimary source for feeding and nesting
Behavior
mix cow into soil, a that has been observed to reduce methane emissions, recycle nutrients, and outcompete pest organisms.
Ecological Role
engineer in cattle pasture systems; through burial; methane reduction through aerobic decomposition of ; of pest via competitive exclusion.
Human Relevance
in livestock agriculture; provides services including waste removal and pest suppression. Vulnerable to non-target effects of cattle parasiticides (ivermectin and related compounds) that persist in .
More Details
Conservation concern
Research has identified Oscarinus rusicola as susceptible to several cattle parasiticides, with implications for in livestock operations.