4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313234373335 English Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en 2026-01-09T10:16:22.376Z NRW 1.0 wel NONE Status of Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis, Morfa Harlech 2019 Status of Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis, Morfa Harlech 2019 2020-03-31 NRW_DS124735 Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis was formerly local but widespread across England and Wales. It has declined dramatically in England and since 2000 is extant at just five of the forty known locations. In Wales, this species has fared better but is restricted to grazed coastal sand dune systems. Historically known from fifteen sites, it was still present at half of these in 2017. The beetle feeds on the dung of a range of mammals but is probably dependent for breeding on medium to large herbivore dung such as cattle, ponies and sheep. A survey in 2017 of all the known sites in Wales found 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 authors regard the populations at Kenfig Burrows and Methyr Mawr to be the best in the UK. Elsewhere, absence and low population levels are strongly correlated to the cessation of grazing and the quantity and quality of available dung on sand. Following the 2017 survey, a more intensive survey of Morfa Harlech, which represents a northern outlier for the beetle, was undertaken in 2019 to determine the status of Onthophagus nuchicornis at this site. Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis was formerly local but widespread across England and Wales. It has declined dramatically in England and since 2000 is extant at just five of the forty known locations. In Wales, this species has fared better but is restricted to grazed coastal sand dune systems. Historically known from fifteen sites, it was still present at half of these in 2017. The beetle feeds on the dung of a range of mammals but is probably dependent for breeding on medium to large herbivore dung such as cattle, ponies and sheep. A survey in 2017 of all the known sites in Wales found 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 authors regard the populations at Kenfig Burrows and Methyr Mawr to be the best in the UK. Elsewhere, absence and low population levels are strongly correlated to the cessation of grazing and the quantity and quality of available dung on sand. Following the 2017 survey, a more intensive survey of Morfa Harlech, which represents a northern outlier for the beetle, was undertaken in 2019 to determine the status of Onthophagus nuchicornis at this site. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en Species distribution GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2008-06-01 geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.httpinspireeceuropaeutheme-theme Morfa Harlech Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis NRW Thesaurus 2025-01-08 geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-keywords There are no access restrictions on this data. NRW may release, publish or disseminate it freely. no limitations © 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. Contains Natural Resources Wales information © Natural Resources Wales and Database Right. All rights Reserved. Open Government Licence English biota SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 GWYNEDD - GWYNEDD -4.14460911 -4.05370923 52.8965668 52.92192171 2019-07-15 2019-07-20 Mann, C.M. & Mann, D.J. 2020. The status of Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis on Morfa Harlech in 2019. NRW Evidence Report No: 421, 29pp. Natural Resources Wales, Bangor The Status of Dillwyn’s Dung Beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis on Morfa Harlech in 2019 Database The data archive contains: [A] The final report in Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF formats. [B] Species records, which are held on the NRW Recorder 6 database. 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 2010-12-08 This dataset has not been assessed for conformance to the referenced INSPIRE regulation. false The aim of the survey was to determine the current status and distribution of the dung beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis on Morfa Harlech dunes and to recommend appropriate management strategies to encourage the conservation of O. nuchicornis. Field work was carried out between 15th and 20th July 2019. An extensive survey across the NNR and SSSI areas of Morfa Harlech was undertaken. Weather conditions were favourable throughout the survey period, except for last day when it rained heavily. A range of sampling techniques were used during the survey, these were: a visual search, dung sieving and baited pitfall traps. The aim of the survey was to determine the current status and distribution of the dung beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis on Morfa Harlech dunes and to recommend appropriate management strategies to encourage the conservation of O. nuchicornis. Field work was carried out between 15th and 20th July 2019. An extensive survey across the NNR and SSSI areas of Morfa Harlech was undertaken. Weather conditions were favourable throughout the survey period, except for last day when it rained heavily. A range of sampling techniques were used during the survey, these were: a visual search, dung sieving and baited pitfall traps.