ECT organises a ring test with dung beetles

European legislation requires testing of parasiticides using, among others, dung beetles (see OECD guidance document 122). Currently, Aphodius constans, a dweller species, has been approved as a test species for residues in dung. However, results of tests using A. constans may not be relevant for tunneler species. Therefore, an international ring test using a species of the genus Onthophagus, has been started. This ring test is organized by ECT on behalf the SETAC advisory group DOTTS (Dung Organism Toxicity Test Standardization). Final results are expected for the end of 2015.