The family Scarabaeidae, as currently defined, consists of over 35,000 species of
beetles worldwide; they are often called scarabs or scarab beetles. The classification of this family has undergone significant change in recent years. Several groups formerly treated as subfamilies have been elevated to family rank (e.g.,
Bolboceratidae,
Geotrupidae,
Glaresidae,
Glaphyridae,
Hybosoridae,
Ochodaeidae, and
Pleocomidae), and some reduced to lower ranks. The subfamilies listed in this article are in accordance with those in Catalog of Life (2023).[3]
Description
Scarabs are stout-bodied beetles, many with bright metallic colours, measuring between 1.5 and 160 millimetres (0.059 and 6.3 in). They have distinctive, clubbed
antennae composed of plates called
lamellae that can be compressed into a ball or fanned out like leaves to sense odours. Many species are
fossorial, with legs adapted for digging. In some groups males (and sometimes females) have prominent horns on the head and/or
pronotum to fight over mates or resources.[4] The largest fossil scarabaeid was Oryctoantiquus borealis with a length of 50 millimetres (2.0 in).[5]
The C-shaped
larvae, called grubs, are pale yellow or white. Most adult beetles are nocturnal, although the flower chafers (
Cetoniinae) and many leaf chafers (
Rutelinae) are active during the day. The grubs mostly live underground or under debris, so are not exposed to sunlight. Many scarabs are scavengers that recycle dung,
carrion, or decaying plant material.[6] Others, such as the
Japanese beetle, are plant-eaters.
In
Ancient Egypt, the dung beetle now known as Scarabaeus sacer (formerly Ateuchus sacer) was revered as sacred. Egyptian
amulets representing the sacred scarab beetles were traded throughout the Mediterranean world.[4]
See also
Dung beetle – Scarabaeidae dung beetles play an important role in temperate and tropical environments
RU Ehlers. Current and Future Use of Nematodes in Biocontrol: Practice and Commercial Aspects with Regard to Regulatory Policy Issues. Biocontrol Science and Technology Volume 6, Issue 3, 1996.