Onthophagus australis (Southern dung beetle)

COLEOPTERA: Scarabaeidae:Scarabaeinae

Small (11-13mm long), black with a green or coppery sheen, and with lengthwise grooves (striae) in the elytra. Males have two upright horns on the head, with smaller (minor) males having shorter horns; females are without horns.

Widely distributed in eastern mainland Australia and Tasmania. It is one of the few native species that has accepted dung of introduced mammals, at times being very abundant in cattle dung.

Regional distribution

Onthophagus australis is listed in the following regions: