The status and distribution of the scarab beetles Rhysothorax rufa and Onthophagus nuchicornis on Welsh dunes in 2017

The Endangered Red Dune Crawler (Rhysothorax rufa) has been recorded from only a handful of dune systems in England and Wales and has not been recorded in England for over fifteen years. In Wales, it is known from Kenfig Burrows, where a single adult was found on 20 July 1994, and from Merthyr Mawr Warren, where single adults were recorded in June 1981 and on 21 May 2006. Adults feed on detritus within sandy habitats. A survey undertaken in 2017 failed to locate the beetle at either site. Current management at both Kenfig Burrows and Merthyr Mawr Warren is considered sympathetic to the conservation of this species.


The Vulnerable Dillwyn's Dung Beetle (Onthophagus nuchicornis) was formerly widespread across England and Wales. However, it has declined dramatically in England and is now known from only five of its 30 previously recorded locations, where it is encountered infrequently and often as single individuals. In Wales, it is restricted to coastal sand dune systems and has been recorded from fifteen sites, ranging from Merthyr Mawr Warren in the south-east to Morfa Harlech in the north-west. Larvae develop in the dung of a range of mammals but are thought to be largely dependent on that of large herbivores such as cattle, ponies, and sheep.


A survey undertaken in 2017 at known sites, using both hand-searching and baited pitfall traps, recorded Onthophagus nuchicornis at seven localities: Kenfig Burrows (975 adults), Merthyr Mawr Warren (36), Morfa Harlech (1), Oxwich Burrows (4), Pembrey Burrows (32), Pennard Burrows (4), and Whiteford Burrows (5). The population at Kenfig Burrows is the strongest known in the UK. Elsewhere, absence and low population levels are strongly correlated with the cessation of grazing and reductions in the quantity and quality of available dung.


Management practices, including grazing regimes, are considered beneficial for the conservation of this species at three sites (Kenfig Burrows, Merthyr Mawr Warren, and Whiteford Burrows), although there remains scope for improvement. Increased access for cattle to mobile dunes and areas of disturbed open sand would be particularly beneficial for Onthophagus nuchicornis. Management recommendations are provided for all currently occupied sites.

Identification

Identifier
NRW_DS121588
Alternative Title
Metadata Language
English
Lineage

Surveys were by visual searches and baited pitfall traps.
Dataset Reference Date (Publication)
2018-05-01

Temporal Extent

Begin date
2017-05-20
End date
2017-06-18
 
Topic category
  • Biota
Owner
  Natural Resources Wales (NRW) -
Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales
http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en
Originator
  Watkins -
Norton House, Ross Road, Longhope, Gloucestershire, GL17 0LW
 

Extent

Extent

Geographic Extent
Wales (WLS)
N
W
E
S
Map representing the geographic extent of the dataset


 
 

Distribution

Distribution

Format Type and Description
  • Database ( Unknown )

    Specification

    Species records on Welsh Invertebrate Database

  • Documents ( Unknown )

    Specification

    Report as pdf format

 

Quality

Data quality

Quality Scope
Dataset
Conformity
Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services
Explanation

This dataset has not been assessed for conformance to the referenced INSPIRE regulation.
Degree
false
Lineage

Surveys were by visual searches and baited pitfall traps.
 

Keywords

Keywords

GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0
Type
Theme

Citation

Date (Publication)
2008-06-01
Code
geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.httpinspireeceuropaeutheme-theme

Keywords

NRW Thesaurus
  • Rhysothorax rufa
  • invertebrate surveys
  • entomological survey
  • Onthophagus nuchicornis
  • ecological surveys
Type
Theme

Citation

Date (Publication)
2026-08-27
Code
geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-keywords
 

Spatial Reference System

Code
British National Grid (EPSG::27700)
 

Content

Content Information

NRW Profile

Custom Elements

NRW Related Title

The status and distribution of the scarab beetles Rhysothorax rufa and Onthophagus nuchicornis on Welsh dunes in 2017
 

Constraints

Constraints

Limitations on Public Access and Use

Restriction type
Other restrictions
 

Access Constraints Directive

Limitations
no limitations
 

Access Constraints Text

Other constraints

There are no access restrictions on this data. NRW may release, publish or disseminate it freely.
 

Use Constraints

Use constraints type
Other restrictions
Other constraints

© CNC/NRW Data may be re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence providing it is done so, acknowledging both the source and NRW's copyright. It is the recipient's responsibility to ensure the data is fit for the intended purpose. Attribution statement: Contains Natural Resources Wales information © Natural Resources Wales and Database Right. All rights Reserved.
 

Attribution Statement

Other constraints

Contains Natural Resources Wales information © Natural Resources Wales and Database Right. All rights Reserved.
 

Licence

Other constraints
Open Government Licence
 
 
 

Metadata

Metadata

File Identifier
4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313231353838 XML
Metadata Language
English
Parent Identifier
Welsh Invertebrate Database (WID)

NRW_DS23774
Resource type
Dataset
Metadata Date
2026-10-07T12:39:39.635Z
Metadata Standard Name
NRW
Metadata Standard Version

1.0

pointOfContact
  Natural Resources Wales (NRW) -
Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales
http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en
 
 

Publishing Body

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