Biomass estimation using a length-weight relationship in beetle larvae (Coleoptera: Aphodiidae, Histeridae, Hydrophilidae, Staphylinidae) obtained from cow dung

Abstract

This research enabled the relationship between length and dry body mass to be determined for 158 beetle larvae taken from cow dung in north-eastern Poland. The larvae were divided into three morphological types, for which the power and linear function of the body length-weight relationship were determined. The linear regression equation characterizes the relationship between body weight and length for all morphological types of larvae very well (0.8955≤R 2 ≤0.9752). The power regression equation characterizes this relationship for all morphological types of larvae well (0.8562≤R 2 ≤0.9742).The equations obtained can be used to compute dry mass for most beetle larvae inhabiting dung.