Dung Beetle (two
photos)
aka "Tumblebug"
Canthon imitator


Moving a dung "tootsie roll" can be quite a chore, especially
when it
doesn't roll straight and you have to make alterations.
Back feet up to roll
and head up for making adjustments. I really enjoyed watching
this beneficial insect
scoot rapidly
across a walkway at Strawberry Reservoir, one of
Utah's most
popular fishing areas. There are no shortage of
Prairie Dog "rolls" here. Dung is eaten or used for feeding
larvae. There is a good
article here about one species
of dung beetle and its dung-rolling behavior (pdf file). ©
Carol
Davis, 5-27-07
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