Disappearance of cow dung and associated coleopteran fauna succession in pasture
1992
Yamashita, N. (Tohoku National Agricultural Experiment Station, Morioka (Japan)) | Hayakawa, H.
Coleopteran fauna succession and the disappearance of pastured cow dung were surveyed at Tohoku National Agricultural Experiment Station in July, August and September. 1) Most of the dung beetles lit on cow dung when they were within 3 day old in every month. Predatory beetle, however, lit on cow dung more than 7 days old. 2) 30-50% of cow dung disappeared within 28 days in every month. Reduction of cow dung set in July and September, when many beetles lit on it, was rapid within 7 days, lasting slowly afterwards. Cow dung set in August, when the number of dung beetles fell to less than one-fifth of July's, was reduced continuously and slowly until the 28th day. 3) Disappearance process of cow dung was mainly due to scattering and dispersing by physiological and biological factors. The amount of dung buried in the form of brood ball by dung beetles was 21-27% of the total amount that disappeared. 4) To improve grass productivity, it is suggested that the introduction of high potential decompositors from other areas is greatly needed
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