Boreocanthon praticola
LeConte, 1859
Boreocanthon praticola is a small dung beetle in the Scarabaeidae. Its distribution spans the Great Plains from southern Canada to Texas, extending into the American Southwest and northwestern Mexico. The exhibits a strong ecological association with prairie dog colonies, where it feeds primarily on prairie dog pellets. It has been documented in the fossil record from the La Brea tar pits in California, indicating a broader historical range.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Boreocanthon praticola: /bɔˌreoʊˈkænθɒn prætɪˈkoʊlə/
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Identification
Small dung beetle; distinguished from similar Canthon by its strong association with prairie dog and its specific rolling —rolling prairie dog pellets without forming them into balls. The Boreocanthon is separated from Canthon based on morphological characters, though field identification to species level may require examination of specimen details.
Habitat
Prairie grasslands and open plains; strongly associated with prairie dog colonies. Found within prairie dog mounds where it feeds on buried pellets. Occurs in sand dune , mesquite/oak chaparral, and pinyon/oak/juniper woodland edges where prairie dogs are present.
Distribution
Great Plains from southern Canada to Texas; American Southwest; northwestern Mexico. Range corresponds roughly to the combined distributions of the black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) and Gunnison's prairie dog (Cynomys gunnisoni). Historically present in California (La Brea tar pits) but no longer occurs there.
Seasonality
Active during spring and summer months; collected in New Mexico in mid-to-late May. Activity likely coincides with prairie dog activity periods and warmer temperatures.
Diet
with strong preference for prairie dog dung. Also utilizes cattle, bison, pig, human, and rabbit dung when available.
Host Associations
- Cynomys ludovicianus - sourceblack-tailed prairie dog
- Cynomys gunnisoni - sourceGunnison's prairie dog
Behavior
Rolls prairie dog pellets without forming them into balls, a distinctive differing from typical ball-rolling dung beetles. Flies low to the ground when locating fresh dung. Has been observed rolling rodent scats in sand dune .
Ecological Role
Dung beetle facilitating nutrient cycling and soil aeration in prairie dog colony . Burial of pellets within prairie dog mounds contributes to soil modification in these systems.
Similar Taxa
- Canthon sp.similar small size and -rolling ; distinguished by B. praticola's specific association with prairie dog dung and non-ball rolling behavior
More Details
Fossil Record
Identified in the La Brea tar pits in California, indicating the had a broader historical distribution that has since contracted.
Conservation Note
Strong dependence on prairie dog colonies makes this vulnerable to prairie dog declines and loss.