News Animals

Color of light sets dung beetles straight

Insects may use green, ultraviolet as compass

dung beetle

ON A ROLL  A day-active dung beetle rolls its prized dung ball backward in a relatively straight course. The insect may accomplish this orientation feat by using variations in the color of light across the sky.

E. Baird

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

Here’s a reason to keep eyes on the skies while dealing with dung on the ground: Variations in the color of light in different parts of the sky can act as a compass, at least if you’re a dung beetle.