Can dung beetles fly?
The first imported dung beetles were released in April, 1967 – mainly in the northern parts of Australia, that were badly affected by the buffalo fly. About 275,000 dung beetles, of a few different species, were released over the next three years. In the early days, CSIRO scientists looked after the dung beetles like babies. They even carried cow dung to the hungry beetles in the backs of utilities. They called their sacred mission, “Meals on Wheels”! Gradually, the dung beetles multiplied, and spread along the coast, and inland. They were first released at spots about 80 kilometres apart, and within two years, they had spread out and filled those gaps. Some dung beetles can fly, and they were soon spotted on Palm Island, some 29 kilometres off the coast! Sources: http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/trek/4wd/dung2.
