Fly Control

A scientific article coming from researchers at North Carolina State University stated that Dung beetles are an important group of insects associated with the decomposition of animal manure around the world. They consume large amounts of dung as adults and larvae. Some species prefer woodland habitats while others are common on pastures. Their actions have been credited in reducing pasture fouling, adding nutrients to soil, aerating soil and competing for nesting habitat and food resources with flies. In the absence of dung-inhabiting insects animal manure can be slow to decompose and the benefits of good nutrient distribution may be reduced.

To that end, cattlemen spend a lot of money every year trying to control fly populations, which can cost producers money through reduced cattle performance.  Cattleman Paul Brown has found a friend in the dung beetle in the sense that they can control fly populations, reduce manure and it doesn't cost him a dime.  Here he is: "To enhance our dung beetle populations we quit using insecticides, fly tags and pour ons  5 years ago and now we have slowly seen an increase in our dung beetle populations and I figure on our ranch, if I were to ranch for 30 years, I would save $85,000 by not using those inputs and letting the dung beetles work for free.