Biology and seasonal population dynamics of the forest dung beetle Anoplotrupes stercorosus (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae) in the Center of European Russia

Abstract

The biology and population dynamics of Anoplotrupes stercorosus was studied in forest ecosystems of central European Russia (2007-2023). During the study period, 6738 individuals were collected from 256 habitats. In open biotopes, Anoplotrupes stercorosus was caught only occasionally or no specimens were found at all. The species is most abundant in mixed forests with a pronounced shrub layer and grass cover, complex pine forests and deciduous forests. Seasonal population dynamics varies in different habitats. It can be with one, two or three population peaks. The possibility of using Anoplotrupes stercorosus as a bioindicator of forest ecosystem condition was studied. The abundance of the species was found to be very low on burned areas.