Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Responsive image
Issue: Vol. 1499 No. 1: 7 Jun. 2007
Type: Articles
Published: 2007-06-07
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1499.1.2
Page range: 47–59
Abstract views: 70
PDF downloaded: 26

Digging down under: Australian Bolboceratini, their habits and a list of species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea: Geotrupidae)

Canadian Museum of Nature, P.O. Box 3443, Station D, Ottawa, ON, K1P 6P4, Canada
Canadian Museum of Nature, P.O. Box 3443, Station D, Ottawa, ON, K1P 6P4, Canada
The Australian Museum, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Coleoptera Australia Bolboceratini natural history checklist

Abstract

The adult habits of the ten genera of Australian Bolboceratini (Scarabaeoidea, Geotrupidae: Bolboceratinae) are briefly discussed, mentioning at least one species in each genus. Morphological variation, food, and/or predation are described for some species. The eggs and larvae of Bolborhachium anneae Howden are discussed and pictured. A picture of one of the fungi used for adult food is included and one of push-ups marking burrows. The Australian species of Bolboceratini described through 2006 are listed.

References

  1. Cassis, G. & Weir, T.A. (1992) Geotrupidae, pp. 41–64. In: Houston, W.W.K. (ed.), Zoological Catalogue of Australia, Volume 9. Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 544 pp.

    Carne, P.B. (1965) A revision of the genus Elephastomus Macleay (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae). Journal of the Entomological Society of Queensland, 4, 3–13.

    Houston, T. (2007) Geotrupid beetles – what role do they play in the dispersal of mycorrhizal fungi? Western Australian Insect Study Society Newsletter, February 2007, 6–8.

    Howden, H. F. (1985) A revision of the Australian beetle genera Bolboleaus Howden & Cooper, Blackbolbus Howden & Cooper, and Bolborhachium Boucomont (Scarabaeidae: Geotrupinae). Australian Journal of Zoology, Supplementary Series, 111, 1–179.

    Howden, H.F. (1990) The Geotrupidae of New Guinea (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Invertebrate Taxonomy 3, 261–289.

    Howden, H.F. (1992) A revision of the Australian beetle genera Eucanthus Westwood, Bolbobaineus Howden & Cooper, Australobolbus Howden & Cooper and Gilletinus Boucomont (Scarabaeidae: Geotrupinae). Invertebrate Taxonomy, 6, 605–717.

    Howden, H.F. (1993) New Bolboceratini from Western Australia (Scarabaeidae, Geotrupinae). Journal of the Australian Entomological Society, 32, 379–386.

    Howden, H.F. & Cooper, J.B. (1977) The generic classification of the Bolboceratini of the Australian region, with descriptions of four new genera (Scarabaeidae: Geotrupinae). Australian Journal of Zoology, Supplementary Series, 50, 1–50.

    Steinbauer, M.J. & Weir, T.A. (2007) Summer activity patterns of nocturnal Scarabaeoidea (Coleoptera) of the southern tablelands of New South Wales. Australian Journal of Entomology, 46, 7–16.