An endemic dung beetle species feeding on kauri snail carrion in Northland, New Zealand

Abstract

AbstractWorldwide, Scarabaeidae are coprophages, feeding on mammalian dung. In New Zealand, endemic Scarabaeidae are restricted to forested habitats, where they have evolved a more generalised diet of carrion and dung from a variety of fauna. The scarab beetle Saphobius sp. A is an undescribed flightless dung beetle endemic to New Zealand. The diet of Saphobius is of interest as these Scarabaeidae have evolved on the isolated New Zealand landmass, in the absence of large forest‐dwelling land mammals. Here, I observe Saphobius sp. A feeding on a non‐dung food source, kauri snail Paryphanta busbyi, Gray, carrion.