<< Previous Next >>

Dung beetles in collaboration:-)


Dung beetles in collaboration:-)
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3989 W: 153 N: 4799] (12714)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-05
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5400
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Arthropods from Turkey & Cyprus [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-04-10 21:44
Viewed: 1444
Points: 80
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Gymnopleurus sturmi (Mediterranean Dung Beetle) [in Turk. Dışkı Böceği]

Dear Friends,

I have just returned from the trip to SE Anatolia and today I will go to Cyprus for 2nd herpetological trip. I wished to share this capture with you because I observed this pair of Dung Beetles while they were working (I think a male and a female). But I am not sure their ID! May be some of friends can be identify them [Many thanks to my beloved friend Marcello for ID].

Dung beetles are beetles which feed partly or exclusively on feces. Many dung beetles, known as rollers, are noted for rolling dung into spherical balls, which are used as a food source or brooding chambers. Other dung beetles, known as tunnellers, bury the dung wherever they find it. A third group, the dwellers, neither roll nor burrow: they simply live in manure. The size of a dung beetle varies from species to species (in here these beetles are approx. 1 cm). The "dwellers" are usually small and elongate. Dung beetles are basically black, brown or purplish yellow in color; some are of metallic luster, especially the tropical species. Most dung beetles have a flattened, but stout body. The male of some species has horns at the head or thorax. Some dung beetles, other than the "dwellers", have strong, often "toothed" legs specialised for rolling dung and burrowing.
Dung beetles live in many different habitats, including desert, farmland, forest, and grasslands. They do not like extremely cold or dry weather. They occur on all continents except Antarctica.

Dung beetles eat dung excreted by herbivores and omnivores, and prefer that produced by the former. Many of them also feed on mushrooms and decaying leaves and fruits. They do not need to eat or drink anything else because the dung provides all the necessary nutrients. The larvae feeds on the undigested plant fiber in the dung, while the adults do not eat solid food at all. Instead they use their mouthparts to squeeze and suck the juice from the manure, a liquid full of micro-organisms and other nutrients (as well as the body fluids from some unlucky animals such as dung-feeding maggots that sometimes get trapped between their mandibles).

Most dung beetles search for dung with the aid of their strong sense of smell. Some of the smaller species, however, simply attach themselves to the dung-providers to wait for their reward. After capturing the dung, a dung beetle will roll it, following a straight line despite all obstacles. Sometimes dung beetles will try to steal the dung ball of another beetle, so the dung beetles have to move rapidly away from a dung pile once they have rolled their ball to prevent it from being stolen. In 2003, researchers found that a species of dung beetle navigates by using polarization patterns in moonlight. The species in question is the African Scarabaeus zambesianus. The discovery is the first proof that any animal can use polarized moonlight for orientation.
The "rollers" roll and bury a dung ball either for food storage or for making a brooding ball. In the latter case, two beetles, one male and one female, will be seen around the dung ball during the rolling process. Usually it is the male that rolls the ball, with the female hitch-hiking or simply following behind. In some cases the male and the female roll together. When a spot with soft soil is found, they stop and bury the dung ball. They will then mate underground. After the mating, both or one of them will prepare the brooding ball. When the ball is finished, the female lays eggs inside it, a form of mass provisioning. Some species do not leave after this stage, but remain to safeguard their offspring.

The dung beetle goes through a complete metamorphosis. The larvae live in brood balls made with dung prepared by their parents. During the larval stage the beetle feeds on the dung surrounding it.

The behaviour of the beetles was much misunderstood, until the pioneering studies of Jean Henri Fabre. For example, Fabre corrected the myth that a dung beetle would seek aid from other dung beetles when confronted by obstacles.

Reference: Wikipedia
JPlumb, Jamesp, nkasot, zulfu, bahadir, xTauruSx, kaytan, Miss_Piggy, rcrick, Juyona, vanderschelden, rousettus, gannu, Silvio2006, SkyF, jpdenk, jaycee, gerbilratz, matatur, hester, maurydv, montivipera, uleko, jmp, degani, haraprasan, Argus, SelenE, yasemin, cypturk has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To rousettus: Ahmedim Sağolboreocypriensis 1 04-15 00:53
To mgungor: Selam Mehmet Beyboreocypriensis 1 04-14 15:47
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Art_R Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 199 W: 16 N: 477] (1973)
  • [2008-04-10 22:03]

Hi Bayram , this is a fine piece of nature photography , and your notes are fascinating , great stuff.

regards

Art

  • Great 
  • JPlumb Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 643 W: 160 N: 894] (2837)
  • [2008-04-10 22:20]

Hi Bayram, a very excellent shot of these two Dung Beetles rolling their dung ball. The clarity in the shot is excellent with corner to corner action. The notes supplied tie in very well with the shot you've supplied. It is an excellent presentation.

Thanks, John

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 0 N: 4842] (14380)
  • [2008-04-10 22:26]

Hi Bayram

A great action shot - good composition and POV with good colour and superb detail. Well observed and captured.

James

Bayram Hocam, uzun (5 gün de olsa) bir aradan sonra mükemmel bir kare, önemli bir belge ile burdasınız. Kıbrıs'ta dört gözle sizi bekliyorum. Elinize sağlık. Teşekkürler.
Nazım

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1714 W: 24 N: 4988] (16346)
  • [2008-04-10 22:29]

Hi Bayram,
Nice to see you back and you present a fabulous image of these Dung Beetles at work. Very impressive sharpness and perfect light and exposure levels. That dung ball looks huge and it gives notable scale idea. Excellent POV to portray this actiom moment and very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 0 N: 95] (585)
  • [2008-04-10 22:32]

Mükemmel ve nefis bir kare! Dişi ve erkek dışkı böceğinin kuluçka ve besin topunu taşımalarını gösteren mükemmel bir belge. Hocam bunu ne zman çektiniz. Kaşla göz arasında. Sanırım yere uzandığınız bir anda biz taş kaldırırken siz de bunu görüntülemişsiniz. Elinize sağlık.
Mehmet

Hocam uzmanlığınızı her dalda konuşturuyorsunuz valla. Sürüngen, protozoon, parazitoloji derken bir de böcekler. Gerçi her zaman diyorsunuz ya "doğa bir bütündür" diye. Harika bir kare ve önemli bir belge. Nefis bir çekim.
Elinize sağlık,
Bahadır

Tek kelime yeter sanırım:) "mükemmel". Elinize sağlık hocam.
Deniz

  • Great 
  • mariki Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 65 N: 2008] (8377)
  • [2008-04-10 22:40]

Hello Bayram,

Superb diagonal composition. Good POV, DOF and sharpness. Good light and natural colours. I can remember to have ever seen two insects working on the same dung ball.
Very well done,
Cheers,
Mariki

Hi Bayram ,
Nice shot from these beetles.
Good from pov, sharpness and colors.
Pitiful of that blurred rock right beneath the photo.
My eye passings away there each time.
Overall ood photo!

Regards Gert

Hallo Bayram
Beetles are a creatures I can associate myself better with than snakes and lizzards. Don’t get me wrong, you have a lovely and most interesting selection of reptile images. Great clarity and well composed. I must say this shot is really great, not only showing the perfect details but also the working action of the beetles. Sharpness, focus and composition are just great. Thanks for sharing and enjoy your day and also your Cyprus herpetological trip.
Kind regards
Anna

Hi Bayram,
Wonderful shot of these two Dung Beatles doing what they do best, excellent POV and detail, looks like they have an up hill battle, lovely work mate.

Cheers Rick :)

Ciao Bayram,
splendida immagine di Gymnopleurus sturmi in azione!
Questa specie è presente in tutto il Mediterraneo, soprattutto in pianura e collina.
Maschio e femmina collaborano durante tutte le fasi della riproduzione: preparazione della palla di sterco, trasporto, scavo del nido e deposizione delle uova.
Davvero un eccellente documento, ancora complimenti.
Saluti dalla Sicilia,
Marcello

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2041 W: 6 N: 2021] (13267)
  • [2008-04-11 1:39]

Hola Bayram,
excelente pov.
magnifico trabajo y detalles...
bonita compo.
saludos amigo.

Hello Bayram,
Very good point of view.
It is fun to observe them especially when there are obstacles.
Very good notes.
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2390 W: 194 N: 1991] (8113)
  • [2008-04-11 6:28]

Hello Bayram,
Those Dung beetles are quite the team. You captured that action very well, excellent POV and the details are great.
I like the composition, definitely shows off why they called Dung Beetles ;-).
TFS..Sky

Hello Bayram,

An outstanding note and an excellent photo, very sharp, good point of view.

Thanks,
John

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1785 W: 8 N: 4627] (14955)
  • [2008-04-11 8:19]

Hi Bayram,

Nature Photgraphy at its best! There is nothing like seeing animals or insects in their everyday activities. These beetles are superb - in fine details and excellent blacks - and not at all disturbed by your presence. I hope your trip to Cyprus is a complete success.

Jane

hello Bayram, welcome back, and with two wonderful beetles, I love this shot, the beetles are excellent, good sharp images and a fine composition. regards h

An industrious pair working together in fine concert within a perfect DOF Bayram, an expertly macro shot under field conditions, also quite informative. Good work indeed!
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1208 W: 68 N: 2500] (8251)
  • [2008-04-11 10:11]

Hello Bayram,
Excellent presentation of this sene. I've seen this once in nature. Sometimes it looks useless, because they push each in the opposite direction. But at the end still they reach there goal.
Great photo with good sharpness and details, natural colours and a very good composition.
Regards,
Peter

slm bayram hocam
bizim oralarda çıkmışmı bu hayvanlar güzel yakalamışsın ellerine sağlık
mahmet

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1471 W: 18 N: 2981] (10944)
  • [2008-04-11 12:32]

Hi Bayram

What a great shot! I love the way you have captured the dung beetles working together. Well composed and nicely sharp. Wonderful work

TFS

Karan

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1991 W: 5 N: 5540] (20950)
  • [2008-04-11 12:38]

Hi Bayram. Team work you have captured at its best. very good detail and colours well done TFS.
Nick..

Have a good weekend.

Uno splendido ritorno con una spettacolare cattura, bellissima la composizione che accompagna il movimento lungo la diagonale e crea un senso di tridimensionalità eccezionale, eccellenti POV e DOF, ottimi i dettagli e molto belli i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Hi Bayram, great macro with superb details and splendid sharpness, wonderful composition with beetles at work, very well done, ciao Silvio

Merhaba Hocam,
Her şeyiyle çok güzel bir kare olmuş. Hareketi çok güzel dondurmuşsunuz, elinize sağlık.
Saygılar
Naşit

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1691 W: 242 N: 5580] (19801)
  • [2008-04-12 9:29]

Wow! What a great shot Geckoman... or should you be called Dungbeetleman! Just kidding!

Very good insight into the world of these amazing little insects.
I love how they roll their prize into such a neat, smooth ball :-)
I just love the poses as well :-)
Brilliant composition and POV.
Great lighting.
Very nice work my friend!
Hope to see more from you soon and I wish the rest of your Herping to be very successfull!
All the best, Bayram!

Joe

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2465 W: 168 N: 7448] (23526)
  • [2008-04-12 9:57]

Hello Bayram,
Firstly,I wish you all the best for your trip to Cyrpus!!
Secondly, this is a superb capture of the Dung Beetles rolling their ball. You've caught them at the right moment and details are very sharp and the composition excellent. I've seen this on film and it is really funny and amazing. Thanks for the interesting note too!
Many thanks, Ulla

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 921 W: 4 N: 2302] (10736)
  • [2008-04-12 10:20]

Hello Bayram,
Superb natural photography. Your notes are detailed and interesting. Very nice focus and perfect lighting. TFS Ganesh
Smiley tmrw

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1836 W: 94 N: 2338] (8400)
  • [2008-04-12 15:14]

Merhaba Bayram,
An interesting view of this pair of beetles working. A perfect capture with excellent details, composition and pov.
TFS, José M.

  • Great 
  • degani Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 199 W: 0 N: 286] (2148)
  • [2008-04-12 21:52]

Hi Bayram,
nice and interesting image of two little creature that seem to be very busy, interesting note too as always my friend
kind regards
franco

Excelente trabajo Bayram con buen encuadre y dinamismo. Buenos detalles.
Abrazo: J. Ignasi.

Hi Bayram,
Welcome back to TN. Hope you enjoyed your herpetology's trip. A nice capture of this dung beetles in action. Excellent details and a very good composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2606 W: 133 N: 7480] (23317)
  • [2008-04-13 7:11]

Hello again Bayram,
Great capture of a pair of Scarabid beetles rolling a ball of dung. The sharpness, POV and composition are superb.
This is a great contribution to TN and thanks for sharing it my friend,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2348 W: 61 N: 3801] (12188)
  • [2008-04-13 23:51]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Guzel bir poz yakalamissiniz, netlik ve detaylar da cok iyi. Elinize saglik
Selamlar

daha sonra yazacağım demiştim ama geciktim. iş yoğunluğundan son günlerde TNye bakamaz olmuştum, kusura bakma gecikme için.
kibarcasıyla gübre veya pislik böceklerinin en klasik davranışlarını böylesine güzel keskin detaylar ve net bir çekimle bizlerle paylaşmışsın. herpetolojik materyal gibi bu da çok başarılı bir sunum olmuş. tebrikler, eline sağlık. Yavruvatan Kıbrıs'a ve dahi sana selamlar.

Hello Friend,
Another shot with very fine dtails. This is a very funny shot, something that i hav usually seen in animation movies :) Great capture!

TFS
Kirti

Bu cok tatli vallahi. Gulmekten kirildim. Duymustum hatta London Zoo'da heykeli de var ama foto gormemistim. Eline saglik kardesim. Tam bir biyologsun. Selamlar.
Leyla

Aman be dayi, bir bunlar eksigidi:D mok mocegi. Ne guzel isbirligi:) eline saglik... cypturk

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF