Can dung type beetles damage plants?

[Guest]

Please say no I have had a gurgle but can't find anything helpful.

I have started redoing my greenhouse borders and emptied a load of horsey poo only one bag was heaving with Aphodius granarius - Aphodius granarius | NatureSpot and a few Aphodius sticticus - Aphodius sticticus (I think)

I know it would be typical sods law - make the woodlice, ants, millipedes and centipedes homeless, only to introduce something worse

Thanks as always

[roitelet]

I would think it would think it unlikely. Their main food source is dung. When the dung goes so do they.

[veggiechicken]

My rule of thumb is - Beetles are good guys

[roitelet]

My rule of thumb is - Beetles are good guys

Except Lily Beetles!!!!!!!

[veggiechicken]

^^^ There's always one who's different

[Snoop Puss]

Umm, according to Wikipedia, Aphodius granarius eats dung in its larval stage. It doesn't say what it eats at an adult stage. I found this on these beetles in Canada:
"Published literature (references in Ratcliffe 1991) indicate that this species feeds on a variety of dung, carrion and compost material. Larvae have been reported feeding on sprouting corn seeds, and on grass roots."
Watch out for your chitting sweetcorn maybe?
(See https://sites.google.com/site/dungin...dius-granarius)
Either that, or put some dung outside as well and hope they migrate.

[vixylix]

I didn't even know we had dung beetles in the UK!

If you see them rolling your veg away you'll know they're trouble..

[Guest]

^^^the gh was destined for melons this year. I would be really peeved if I would have succeeded but the beetles wrecked it but I think I am safe, that or I won't succeed anyway.

[Jungle Jane]

I think you probably found the site where they overwintered & the adults also like the manure,compost & grass etc I think the veggies should be alright,you'll soon notice if they're not?

[mothhawk]

They're tiny at 4mm - 6mm! When I lived in Worcestershire we had dor beetles in the pony paddocks. A beautiful irridescent green/black beetle, and 20mm long.

[Bal]

There's loads of them in the poo when we poo pick. I just piled it all up. Hope the don't find their way to my veggie bed. Though I'm almost certain they are harmless to plants. They certainly get through the poo though

[PyreneesPlot]

My rule of thumb is - Beetles are good guys

Ha! Colorado beetles? Flea beetles? Asparagus beetles?

But many are, and they are mostly spendid to look at

[marchogaeth]

There are many British dung beetles, they don't necessarily role poo! http://www.dungbeetlesdirect.com/ You could even get involved with the research project. In my experience the whole life cycle seems to involve poo.

[Muddy_Boots]

There are many British dung beetles, they don't necessarily role poo! http://www.dungbeetlesdirect.com/ You could even get involved with the research project. In my experience the whole life cycle seems to involve poo.

Now I've seen and read everything, you can even buy dung beetles online.