Scarabaeiformia

Scarabaeiformia is a large infraorder of beetles within the order Coleoptera. It is one of the most diverse and well-known groups of beetles, with over 100,000 described species. The infraorder is characterized by its distinctive body shape, with a broad, flattened body and a large, often horned or ridged pronotum. The antennae are typically 11-segmented, and the mouthparts are adapted for chewing.

Scarabaeiformia includes several well-known families, such as Scarabaeidae, which contains the dung beetles and rhinoceros beetles, and Cetoniidae, which includes the metallic wood-boring beetles. The infraorder is also notable for its diversity of life histories and habitats, ranging from tropical rainforests to deserts and grasslands.

The taxonomy of Scarabaeiformia is complex, with many species and genera yet to be described. The infraorder is divided into several superfamilies, including Scarabaeoidea, Cetonioidea, and Ruteloidea. Each of these superfamilies contains numerous families, which in turn contain many genera and species.

Scarabaeiformia plays an important role in ecosystems, particularly in nutrient cycling and seed dispersal. Many species are important pollinators, and some are also used in biological control of pests. The infraorder is also of significant economic importance, with many species being used in agriculture, forestry, and medicine.