Flightless dung beetle with dung ball
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Flightless dung beetle with dung ball
Flightless dung beetle (Scarabaeus rugosus) on top of a dung ball. The dung beetles that roll dung into balls, known as rollers, use the dung as a food source or as a brooding chamber for their larvae. Photographed in the De Hoop Nature Reserve, in the Western Cape region of South Africa
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6460881
© PETER CHADWICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Africa African Animal Behaviour Beetle Breeding De Hoop Nature Reserve Dung Gathering Insecta Re Production Reproductive Roller Rolling South Africa South African Western Cape Dung Ball Dung Beetle Excrement
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print from Science Photo Library showcases the remarkable flightless dung beetle, Scarabaeus rugosus, perched atop a perfectly formed dung ball. Found in the De Hoop Nature Reserve of South Africa's Western Cape region, this fascinating creature belongs to a group of beetles known as rollers. These resourceful insects utilize dung balls both as a source of nourishment and as protective chambers for their developing offspring. The image beautifully captures the intricate details of this African insect's biology and behavior. Its shiny exoskeleton glistens under the sunlight, while its powerful legs firmly grip onto the spherical mass it has meticulously crafted. The sight is a testament to nature's ingenuity and adaptability. Invertebrate enthusiasts will appreciate how this photograph highlights not only the unique reproductive strategies employed by these flightless dung beetles but also their crucial role in ecosystem maintenance. By gathering and rolling dung into balls, they play an essential part in nutrient recycling within their environment. Science Photo Library once again delivers an awe-inspiring snapshot that invites us to marvel at Earth's diverse fauna. This particular image serves as a reminder that even seemingly insignificant creatures like the flightless dung beetle contribute significantly to our planet's delicate balance.
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