Soonchunhyang University Discovers Two Endangered Species of Baby Rhinoceros Beetles

Professor Jeong Heoncheon Discovered During Ecological Survey at Gwangdeoksan Gangdanggol

The Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation of Soonchunhyang University and the Korea Indigenous Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute recently discovered a second-class endangered wild animal, the baby rhinoceros beetle, on Gwangdeoksan Mountain in Asan City.

Soonchunhyang University announced on the 27th that the Korea Indigenous Animal Resources Utilization Convergence Research Institute of the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation recently discovered a male Copris tripartitus, a level 2 endangered wild animal dung beetle, for the first time in Gwangdeoksan, Asan City.

Professor Jeong Heoncheon, affiliated with the research institute, found one male Copris tripartitus, a level 2 endangered wild animal, near Gangdanggol in Gwangdeoksan during an ecological survey on terrestrial insects.

Copris tripartitus, designated as a level 2 endangered wild species in 2005, is an insect belonging to the beetle order Scarabaeidae family. The discovered male specimen exhibits the typical form with an ivory-shaped horn on its forehead.

Adult beetles are generally observed from April to October, mainly active before midsummer. They dig burrows under cow or horse dung and move dung inside to feed or create round-shaped dung balls for laying eggs. In particular, Copris tripartitus, which feeds on cow excrement, has experienced a sharp decline in population due to the gradual reduction of pastures, making this discovery highly significant.

Lee Yongseok, director of the research institute, stated, "Copris tripartitus is a species prohibited from collection and storage. Although the route of introduction and habitat status in Gwangdeoksan are currently unknown, the institute plans to continuously monitor the area in the future."