Dung Beetle On Decline

Scientists have confirmed the declining number of UK's dung beetle species with some facing extinction.

13:03 19 November 2015

The Dung Beetle UK Mapping Project has noted an "alarming trend" of decline of some species due to anthelmintics, a type of drug given to livestock to control intestinal worms that prevent the farm animals from thriving.

 

One of the researchers, Sally-Ann Spence, said: "Our results mapping the dung beetle species in the UK, although the project is in its youth, are already showing an alarming trend in species rarity and even extinction.

 

"The three main reasons behind this are considered to be the use of anthelmintics, soil disturbance and the disappearance of livestock from historic pastures due to a change in farming practices."

 

"We take the opportunity of our survey visits to make farmers and livestock keepers aware of their dung beetles, the latest research, their economic benefits and how they might implement simple workable measures ensure a healthy dung beetle population.

 

"We have received a fantastically positive response from all we have spoken to.

 

"Farmers are keen to preserve their dung beetles and we intend to gather more data about species and their population frequencies to enable more research into these incredibly important beetles."