It eats and uses the excrement of herbivorous animals and is a first-class tunnel builder. The bull beetle has been named “Insect of the Year 2024” by NABU, the German Society for Nature Conservation because it also plays an important role in our ecosystem. IMAGE: Wikimedia Commons

An impressive dung beetle

The bull beetle is a dung beetle. It is easily recognized by its distinctive “antlers”. Only the males have them. It can grow up to 2 cm long, making it one of the largest beetles.

What are the ecosystem services provided by bull beetles?

• They eat and use the excrement of herbivorous animals: This means fewer worms and flies (parasites) can develop.
• By taking the excrement into the soil, the soil is naturally fertilized.
• The shiny black beetles dig tunnels up to 1.5 meters deep and 1 to 2 cm in diameter. This loosens the soil.

Why do dung beetles make tunnels?

The bull beetle builds the tunnels after mating with several breeding chambers. A dung ball is placed in each chamber and the female lays an egg next to it. The hatched beetle larvae can then feed directly on it. It is considered an adult by the age of one year and its life expectancy is about three years.

Is the Bull Beetle endangered?

The Bull Beetle is not considered endangered, but it is suffering from habitat loss and is a “specially protected beetle” in Germany. So you should not remove it from your garden, but be happy about it 🙂 Read more about how to promote biodiversity in your garden here.