Saprosites raoulensis

Saprosites raoulensis is a species of dung beetle[2] endemic to the Kermadec Islands in New Zealand.

[3] The holotype specimen of this species was discovered during a scientific expedition to the Kermadecs by W. L. Wallace in 1908.

[4] New Zealand entomologist Thomas Broun first described this beetle as Aphodius raoulensis in 1910 after receiving the specimen for determination from its collector W. L.

The beetle is pitch black in colour with the front border of the prothorax being a dull brick red.

[1] Broun hypothesized that the significant number of rats on Raoul Island at the time of collection of the type specimen were likely to negatively impact various beetle populations.

Raoul Island