THE results of twelve months of research into dung beetle species throughout the region\u2019s south set to be revealed during a presentation this weekend.<\/p>\n
Hosted at Teesdale Community Hall on Sunday 16 July, the project is a collaboration between the Geelong and Upper Barwon Landcare networks and Southern Farming Systems.<\/p>\n
The study was headed by Grace Evans, senior research and extension officer for Southern Farming Systems, who\u2019ll also lead the presentation.<\/p>\n
She said it\u2019s important for farmers to know what dung beetles are in the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first step in building our populations is knowing what we\u2019ve got at what time of year,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey aerate soil by incorporating dung into it. They destroy fly populations by removing that habitat for them. Without them, dung would just sit on top of the ground and cause a massive problem.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want dung beetle populations at a high density all through the years but because there\u2019s different species at different times, we need to know what holes to fill.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe findings tell us we have quite a few species but the density isn\u2019t as high as we\u2019d like. We\u2019re not strong on winter varieties. We\u2019re a lot stronger on spring and summer varieties so there\u2019s a gap.\u201d<\/p>\n
Funded by Victoria Landcare, 10 properties were surveyed between Wingeel up to She Oaks through to Lethbridge and Teesdale towards Beeac, with four traps placed at each location and checked once a month.<\/p>\n
Seventeen species, either of dung beetles or insects serving the same purpose, were discovered out of an overall count of roughly 12,000 bugs.<\/p>\n
Ms Evans said the presentation will be an identification workshop for local farmers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll present examples of every dung beetle we\u2019ve found as well as rough examples where they were found,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to help everyone develop their ID skills so they can see what they\u2019ve got and build a picture of what their farm looks like.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom there, you can dig a little deeper into what species might be best for your property.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Evans said she\u2019d like to see the project continued with research around bolstering the seasonal gap in dung beetle species with solutions like building nurseries to increase numbers.<\/p>\n
Attendance can be registered by contacting Geelong Landcare Network on 0438 525 502 or Upper Barwon Landcare Network at 0407 552 663.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE results of twelve months of research into dung beetle species throughout the region\u2019s south set to be revealed during a presentation this weekend. Hosted at Teesdale Community Hall on Sunday 16 July, the project is a collaboration between the Geelong and Upper Barwon Landcare networks and Southern Farming Systems. The study was headed by […]<\/p>\n