Scarabaeidae
Description
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Hexapoda |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Family: | Scarabaeidae |
| [2] |
The scarab beetle family, formally known as Scarabaeidae, is a family of approximately 30,000 species of beetles, and approximately 1,700 species found in North America north of Mexico.[3] They are dense, hard-bodies insects with a robust oval shape. They can be distinguished form other beetles via their antennae, which terminates in three flattened plates. These plates at the end of each antennae then fit together to form a club. The beetles often have toothed or scalloped front legs to facilitate digging. They come in a wide variety of sizes, varying from 5 mm to approximately 12 cm. The largest species of scarab beetle is the African Goliath Beetle, which is also the heaviest insect on earth. There are also many subfamilies of scarabs, for example the Dung Beetle subfamily. It is important to note that while all dung beetles are scarabs, not all scarabs are dung beetles. [4]
Habitat and Range
Scarab beetles have an incredibly wide range. They can be found in almost every part of the world, aside from the oceans and Antarctica. [5] Depending on the species of scarab beetle, they tend to occupy different habitats. For example, scarabs that feed on decomposing materials, such as green June beetles and Dung beetles, are typically seen on or around rotting materials, and plant feeders can be found on their favorite plant species. They are typically either nocturnal or diurnal (active during the day-time), and that also varies with species.[6]
Life Cycle
When it comes to mating in scarabs, it usually takes place near the food material required for the offspring to survive. The clubbed antennae previously mentioned are used by adults to smell and locate the ideal mating area. After being fertilized, females deposit eggs in the soil or on decomposing organic material. The larvae, or grubs, then focus on eating and growing. In some species, this may take years, and some species descend lower into the soil for overwintering. Once the larvae is fully grown, it pupates and emerges as an adult that can fly and mate. [6]
References
- ↑ [ https://genent.cals.ncsu.edu/insect-identification/order-coleoptera/family-scarabaeidae/ “Scarabaeidae”]
- ↑ Bouchard, P., Y Bousquet, A. E. Davies, A. Alonso-Zarazaga, C. H. C. Lyal, A. F. Newton, C. A. M. Reid, M. Schmitt, S. A. Ślipiński, and A. B. T. Smith. 2011. Family-group names in Coleoptera (Insecta). ZooKeys: 1-972
- ↑ [ Scarab Beetles (Scarabaeids). https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/scarab-beetles-scarabaeids.]
- ↑ Scarab Beetle Definition & Facts https://www.britannica.com/animal/scarab-beetle.
- ↑ Scarabs. National Geographic. 2010, March 12. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/scarabs.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Scarab Beetles (Scarabaeids). https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/scarab-beetles-scarabaeids.
- ↑ [Malcolm. Centipede and scarab. https://malcolmtattersall.com.au/wp/2015/01/centipede-scarab/]