Onthophagus taurus

(Schreber, 1759)

taurus scarab, bull-headed dung beetle

Onthophagus taurus is a tunneling to Mediterranean regions of Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa. The exhibits pronounced and male : large "major" males develop long curved horns used in combat, while small "minor" males remain hornless and employ sneaking tactics to access females. Females lack horns entirely. Both sexes cooperate in biparental care, constructing underground chambers where is packed into brood balls for larval development. The species has been to the United States and Australia for agricultural of cattle dung.

Onthophagus taurus by (c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie. Used under a CC-BY license.

Onthophagus taurus male and female comparison by R. Costessèque and S. Peslier. Used under a Fair use license.

Onthophagus.taurus.-.calwer.21.04 by Emil Hochdanz
. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Onthophagus taurus: /ɒnˈθɒfəɡəs ˈtɔːrəs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Males are immediately recognizable by the presence of horns in large individuals—long, sweeping, curved structures resembling those of a longhorn bull—while small males and all females are hornless. Body size is 8–10 mm. Coloration is typically black or reddish , sometimes with a weak metallic sheen on the . The oval body shape and association with cattle pads distinguish it from similar Onthophagus , though precise identification may require examination of or other subtle morphological features.

Images

Habitat

to regions with Mediterranean climate; most abundant in grassland where cattle are present. In ranges, occupies pastures and agricultural lands with mammalian availability. Optimal development occurs between 16 °C and 23 °C; reproductive success is limited in cold regions.

Distribution

to central and southern Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa, ranging from Spain and Morocco eastward through Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. to the United States (first detected in Florida in 1971, now established from Florida to Michigan and westward to California and Texas) and Australia (introduced 1974, now prevalent in southwestern Australia). Also present in New Zealand (released 2013).

Diet

Specializes in cattle ; feed on fresh dung. develop within balls constructed from packed dung.