“…Beetles of the subfamily Scarabaeinae are important primary decomposers of dung. Their potential for pasture improvement and pest control (Bornemissza, 1960(Bornemissza, , 1970(Bornemissza, , 1976Bryan, 1973;Waterhouse, 1974;Hughes, 1975;Macqueen & Beirne, 1975) has resulted in exotic species being introduced to Australia (Bornemissza, 1976(Bornemissza, , 1979, North America (Blume et al, 1973;Lancaster & Hunter, 1978) and other regions (Fullaway, 1921;Halffter & Matthews, 1966) where exotic cattle have become common and the diversity of indigenous scarabaeine beetles is relatively low. Dung beetles are known to be more abundant in some habitats than in others, and both soil type and vegetative cover influence those preferences (Fincher et al, 1970;Howden & Nealis, 1975;Bornemissza, 1976;Nealis, 1977;Hanski & Koskela, 1977).…”