Could dung beetles save the world? The students from Armidale Waldorf School are on a mission to breed up winter active dung beetles and find out just what is so special about these humble insects!

Image - Dr Zac Hemmings with Sara and Monty Schmude sorting beetles into their new homes, courtesy of Oliver Schmude.

Dung beetles play a critical role in grazing ecosystems whereby increasing nutrient cycling, water infiltration and supressing fly populations, they have the potential to significantly improve soil and animal health.

In the southern New England we have several varieties active from spring to autumn with little to no activitiy in the winter months.

Dung beetle specialist, Bernard Doube along with his son Andrew, have together been developing school based breeding programs through Landcare in the Central Tablelands and Tasmania.  

Sara Schmude, Landcare Coordinator helping resource the project said, "It was only logical to start a program in the north and The Armdiale Waldorf School where excited to embrace the opportunity."  

Bernard kindly donated 200 Bubus bison, a winter active species imported from France, to kickstart the program.

The beetles are now residing in onion bags of soil buried in the school vegetable garden, with regular supplies of dung we anticipate many more when their breeding cycle is complete. 

Waldorf teacher Joanne Low, said she appreciates this kind of rich learning experience where her students broaden their knowledge of insect lifecycles while utilising their scientific and mathematical skills.

The program is assisted by Dr Karl Vernes and Dr Zac Hemmings, both from UNE with specialist knowledge of dung beetles and their potential to save the world.

We have stocks of ‘Dung Down Under: Dung Beetles for Australia’ by Bernard Doube and Tim Marshall (Armidale-based) available from the Landcare office for a discounted $25.

Local dung beetle resources are available here.