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Onthophagus vacca
Identifying features
Onthophagus vacca is a small beetle (7 – 13mm) with a shiny metallic green or bronze pronotum and head. Wing covers are pale orange-brown with occasional dark markings. The legs are black. Both sexes have a distinct ridge on the head in front of the eyes – more pronounced in females. Males have a large single lamina (part of the optic lobe) on the head, ending in a single point. There is a large indentation at the front of the pronotum. Females’ lamina ends in two points and have a projection at the front of the pronotum.
Distribution
Onthophagus vacca is distributed throughout southern Europe and into Asia. In Western Australia, trial colonies have been released in Manjimup and Youngs Siding with ongoing monitoring to determine establishment.
Additional Information
Onthophagus vacca is a day flying beetle. It is expected to emerge and begin laying eggs from September onwards. It is active until mid-summer. Onthophagus vacca is generally considered to have one generation a year. Information of the Onthophagus vacca breeding behaviour in Australia is being documented to gain a more accurate understanding of their breeding in the southern hemisphere. This is necessary to overcome previous failed attempts at introducing the species to Australia.
![]() 16 Dr B Doube & D. Pow at release | ![]() 9 Farm rearing bed | ![]() 17 Vacca released 19th September 2017 |
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![]() 20 O. vacca in dung | ![]() 10 Keeping vacca in & others out | ![]() 15 Accelerating the breeding process |
![]() 19a Beetles released in Manjimup paddock | ![]() 21 Vacca bucket trial D. Pow | ![]() 1 onthophagus_vacca_male KV Makarov |
![]() 11 Farm bed 2 | ![]() 13 Covered in fly screen | ![]() 14 Protected site |
![]() 8 Bed preparation | ![]() 12 Curious cows Bed 2 | ![]() 7 No escapes |
![]() 18 Vacca in pad 11 Oct 2017 | ![]() 3 Delivery container | ![]() 4 Transported in vermiculite |
![]() 19 Vacca 2 in pad 11 Oct 2017 | ![]() 2 Ex-Creation Care | ![]() 6 First feed |
![]() 5 Temporary housing |