Scarabaeidae

Scarabaeidae is a large and diverse family of beetles in the order Coleoptera, commonly known as scarab beetles. Described species number in the tens of thousands, with a worldwide distribution that spans tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions. The group includes a wide variety of lifestyles, from dung beetles to flower chafers and wood-boring forms.

A defining feature of scarabs is their antennae, which end in a club of lamellate plates that can be pressed together or fanned out. Bodies are typically stout and hard-shelled, and many subfamilies display bright colors or metallic sheen. Larvae are usually white grubs that live in soil, detritus, wood, or dung, depending on the lineage. Adults and larvae exhibit a range of feeding habits, from decomposing matter to plant material, and some species are pollinators.

Ecology and life cycle: Scarabaeidae undergo complete metamorphosis, with egg, larval (grub), pupal, and adult stages. Ecological roles vary by subfamily. Dung beetles (Scarabaeinae) recycle animal waste and aerate soil; flower beetles (Cetoniinae) visit blooms for nectar and pollen; many other scarabs feed on roots, leaves, or decaying matter. The family includes both beneficial species that support nutrient cycling and ecosystem services, and pest species whose larvae can damage crops or turf.

Diversity and distribution: The family comprises several well-known subfamilies, including Scarabaeinae (dung beetles), Dynastinae (rhinoceros beetles), Cetoniinae (flower beetles), Melolonthinae (May beetles), and Rutelinae (shining leaf chafers). Scarabaeidae plays a significant role in ecosystems as decomposers, pollinators, and prey for other animals, while some species intersect with agriculture as pests.