Disintegration of dung pads in north Queensland before the introduction of exotic dung beetles

Abstract

Before the liberation of exotic dung beetles, marked dung pads at two different sites in north Queensland were regularly observed to assess the time and mode of disintegration. Pads survived at least three months, and sometimes a year or more. Trampling by cattle and weathering broke up some pads, and others were destroyed by termites. In very wet conditions earthworms removed some old dung, but at no time were native dung beetles significant in pad breakup.