Whose neat 1cm holes in packed earth pls?

Dillybythesea · #1 (**permalink**) 25-11-2010, 04:56 PM

I wonder if some kind person wld say what's likely to have made these tiny burrows in the ground - seen this week on the edge of a footpath through a wood - several holes in one area but each some feet apart from the next - and with rabbit droppings handily nearby for scale!

healfdan · #2 (**permalink**) 25-11-2010, 05:27 PM

I would say Dung beetles, likely candidate Typhaeus typhoeus

Dillybythesea · #3 (**permalink**) 25-11-2010, 05:47 PM

Thanks healfdan - Makes sense, specially as there seemed more rabbit droppings in the vicinity than just generally - praps en route! ATB, Dill

Klaas Reißmann · #4 (**permalink**) 27-11-2010, 05:36 AM

The sandy ground and the rabbit dung around the hole make it a Typhaeus typhoeus hole. Even the time of the year. It is the only one on sandy grounds I notice diggin at this time (or in the cold time) of the year, as long as it is not freezing. And T. typhoeus is a typical species of heath and similar habitats.

Regards
Klaas

Dillybythesea · #5 (**permalink**) 27-11-2010, 08:15 AM

Thanks for the extra info Klaas! I did wonder about the timing - thinking it might be a hibernation issue - or maybe that I'd just not looked down before! It's always nice to learn a bit more. ATB, Rhona

Klaas Reißmann · #6 (**permalink**) 27-11-2010, 06:44 PM

Quote:

thinking it might be a hibernation issue

That's not a right thought, but it is even not wrong. Typhaeus typhoeus is a kind of early spring. The new generation appeares in autumn. The beetles use the last warm days, whereas "warm" means no frost. They start digging their holes but I don't know if they really fill their holes with dung and lay eggs. This is normally kind of work for spring. Most of all I think they stay in these holes, hide of cold and wet weather and work for an earlier start in spring.

Regards
Klaas