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Can dung type beetles damage plants?

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  • Can dung type beetles damage plants?

    Please say no I have had a gurgle but can't find anything helpful.

    I have started redoing my greenhouse borders and emptied a load of horsey poo only one bag was heaving with Aphodius granarius - Aphodius granarius | NatureSpot and a few Aphodius sticticus - Aphodius sticticus (I think)

    I know it would be typical sods law - make the woodlice, ants, millipedes and centipedes homeless, only to introduce something worse

    Thanks as always

  • #2
    I would think it would think it unlikely. Their main food source is dung. When the dung goes so do they.
    Gardening requires a lot of water - most of it in the form of perspiration. Lou Erickson, critic and poet

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    • #3
      My rule of thumb is - Beetles are good guys

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      • #4
        Originally posted by veggiechicken View Post
        My rule of thumb is - Beetles are good guys
        Except Lily Beetles!!!!!!!
        Gardening requires a lot of water - most of it in the form of perspiration. Lou Erickson, critic and poet

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        • #5
          ^^^ There's always one who's different

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          • #6
            Umm, according to Wikipedia, Aphodius granarius eats dung in its larval stage. It doesn't say what it eats at an adult stage. I found this on these beetles in Canada:
            "Published literature (references in Ratcliffe 1991) indicate that this species feeds on a variety of dung, carrion and compost material. Larvae have been reported feeding on sprouting corn seeds, and on grass roots."
            Watch out for your chitting sweetcorn maybe?
            (See https://sites.google.com/site/dungin...dius-granarius)
            Either that, or put some dung outside as well and hope they migrate.

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            • #7
              I didn't even know we had dung beetles in the UK!

              If you see them rolling your veg away you'll know they're trouble..

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              • #8
                ^^^the gh was destined for melons this year. I would be really peeved if I would have succeeded but the beetles wrecked it but I think I am safe, that or I won't succeed anyway.

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                • #9
                  I think you probably found the site where they overwintered & the adults also like the manure,compost & grass etc I think the veggies should be alright,you'll soon notice if they're not?
                  Location : Essex

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                  • #10
                    They're tiny at 4mm - 6mm! When I lived in Worcestershire we had dor beetles in the pony paddocks. A beautiful irridescent green/black beetle, and 20mm long.
                    Location - Leicestershire - Chisit-land
                    Endless wonder.

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                    • #11
                      There's loads of them in the poo when we poo pick. I just piled it all up. Hope the don't find their way to my veggie bed. Though I'm almost certain they are harmless to plants. They certainly get through the poo though
                      Dogs have masters, cats have slaves, and horses are just wonderful

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by veggiechicken View Post
                        My rule of thumb is - Beetles are good guys
                        Ha! Colorado beetles? Flea beetles? Asparagus beetles?

                        But many are, and they are mostly spendid to look at
                        Le Sarramea https://jgsgardening.blogspot.com/

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                        • #13
                          There are many British dung beetles, they don't necessarily role poo! http://www.dungbeetlesdirect.com/ You could even get involved with the research project. In my experience the whole life cycle seems to involve poo.
                          "A life lived in fear is a life half lived."

                          PS. I just don't have enough time to say hello to everyone as they join so please take this as a delighted to see you here!

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by marchogaeth View Post
                            There are many British dung beetles, they don't necessarily role poo! http://www.dungbeetlesdirect.com/ You could even get involved with the research project. In my experience the whole life cycle seems to involve poo.
                            Now I've seen and read everything, you can even buy dung beetles online.
                            The day that Microsoft makes something that doesn't suck ...

                            ... is the day they make vacuum cleaners

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