Abundance and distribution of Geotrupes sfercorarius in Finland (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae)

Abstract

Distribution maps based on the UTM grid are given for G. stercorarius for the periods before 1960, 1960-1979 and 1980 onwards. Records made in the 1980s with data on the abundance are given in 10 km x 10 km squares. Though still widely distributed in Finland, G. stercorarius is no longer a common species. Changes in livestock rearing, especially the loss of permanent pastures, are suggested to be the main reason for the decline of this dung beetle. The related species G. stercorosus is still common, but G. vernalis may have disappeared from Finland.