Under the Microscope: Cape Flightless Dung Beetle

“They see me rollin’, they hatin’…”

Meet one of nature’s most underrated heroes, the Cape Flightless Dung Beetle (Circellium bacchus). Found in the Walker Bay region and often spotted at Grootbos, this shiny, hardworking beetle rolls dung balls from baboon or antelope droppings to create a safe space for its single annual egg.

Sadly, despite their resilience, these beetles are listed as “Near Threatened” due to habitat loss, low reproduction rates, and their inability to fly. That’s why conservation efforts at Grootbos are crucial to protecting this rare species and the role it plays in our ecosystem.

Let’s keep rolling towards a better future for our wild neighbours.

Spotted at Grootbos | Brought to you by the Grootbos Foundation Entomology Team