Onitis aygulus (introduced)
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Size
20–25 mm
Colour
A two-toned beetle. Pronotum is dark brown with a copper or green sheen, and wing covers are a lighter brown.
Horns
Females have a small bump on the back of their head.
Active seasons
Spring to autumn
Flight time
Dusk and dawn
Distribution in Australia
Found in Western Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and southern Western Australia.
Similar species
Onitis alexis is similar but smaller on average (13–20 mm), and males have a single spur on hind legs compared to the double spur in O. aygulus.
South West Prime Lamb Group (SWPLG) demonstrations
O. aygulus have been trapped at Cashmore and Hamilton in low numbers.
Lifecycle
O. aygulus buries its nest to a depth of 16 cm, comprising of brood ‘sausages’ each with up to eight eggs.
Dung burial
5–16 cm deep
Establishment of O. aygulus
Beetles can be introduced as starter colonies. A link to suppliers can be found below.