ScarabaeidaeScarabaeidae Index Bisallardiana Scarabaeinae (Dung Beetles) Schizognathus compressicornis

The family Scarabaeidae, consists of over 35,000 species of beetles worldwide. The classification has undergone a number of significant changes, with several subfamilies elevated to family rank and others lowered in their ranking.3

They are often called Scarabs or Scarab Beetles. Some of the more well known and common beetle names in this family include Rose Chafers, Flower Chafers, Rhinoceros Beetles, Hercules Beetles, Goliath Beetles, Japanese Beetles, Dung Beetles and Christmas Beetles.



Anoplognathus porosus

Christmas Beetle (Anoplognathus porosus), Ballandean QLD © Marc Newman
Christmas Beetle (Anoplognathus porosus), Ballandean QLD © Marc Newman

Aphanestes gymnopleura

Aphanestes gymnopleura (Brown Flower Chafer), Ballandean QLD © Marc Newman
Aphanestes gymnopleura (Brown Flower Chafer), Ballandean QLD © Marc Newman

Bisallardiana sp

Bisallardiana sp (Flower Chafer Beetle), Alice Springs NT
Bisallardiana sp (Flower Chafer Beetle), Alice Springs NT

Digitonthophagus gazella

Digitonthophagus gazella, Alice Springs NT
Digitonthophagus gazella, Alice Springs NT

Lepidiota sp

Genus Lepidiota Beetle (family Scarabaeidae), Alice Springs NT
Genus Lepidiota Beetle (family Scarabaeidae), Alice Springs NT

Liparochrus rufus

Liparochrus rufus, Morgan, SA © Mark Hanlon
Liparochrus rufus, Morgan, SA © Mark Hanlon

Neorrhina punctatum

Punctate Flower Chafer (Neorrhina punctatum), Ballandean QLD © Marc Newman
Punctate Flower Chafer (Neorrhina punctatum), Ballandean QLD © Marc Newman

The larvae (sometimes referred to as “grubs”) of these beetles are the classic “C-shaped” and are usually are pale yellow or white.

Whilst many adult beetles are nocturnal, others such as the flower chafers (Cetoniinae) and many of the Leaf Chafers (Rutelinae) are active during the day and feed on the nectar and pollen. Some species feed on the leaves of plants. Many beetles from the family are scavengers, some recycle dung, carrion, or decaying plant material.

Protaetia fusca

Mottled Flower Scarab (Protaetia fusca), Alice Springs, NT
Mottled Flower Scarab (Protaetia fusca), Alice Springs, NT

This section/page is a work in progress…


  • Scientific classification
  • Domain: Eukaryota
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Subphylum: Hexapoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Subclass: Pterygota
  • Order: Coleoptera
  • Suborder: Polyphaga
  • Infraorder: Scarabaeiformia
  • Superfamily: Scarabaeoidea
  • Family: Scarabaeidae

Footnote & References

  1. Scarabaeidae, Atlas of Living Australia, https://bie.ala.org.au/species/Scarabaeidae
  2. Scarabs (Family Scarabaeidae), iNaturalistAU, https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/taxa/48201-Scarabaeidae
  3. Scarabaeidae, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarabaeidae
  4. Scarabaeidae, Scarab Beetles or Cockchafers or Dung Beetles, CSIRO Entomology, https://www.ento.csiro.au/education/insects/coleoptera_families/scarabaeidae.html
  5. Family Scarabaeidae (Scarab Beetles), Field Guide to the Insects of Tasmania, https://tasmanianinsectfieldguide.com/hexapoda/insectsoftasmaniacoleoptera/insectsoftasmaniacoleoptera-suborder-polyphaga/superfamily-scarabaeoidea/scarabaeidae-scarab-beetles/

ScarabaeidaeScarabaeidae Index Bisallardiana Scarabaeinae (Dung Beetles) Schizognathus compressicornis

ColeopteraColeoptera Index Amarygmus sp Anoplognathus sp Aphanestes gymnopleura Aporocera speciosa Atractocerus crassicornis Blackburnium cavicolle Buprestidae Carphurus Cerambycidae Chalcopteroides (Chalcopterus Beetle) Christmas Beetles Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles) Coleoptera (Beetles) Curculionidae Dung Beetle Eretes australis Helea scaphiformis Hydrophilus Ladybirds (Beetles) Lepidiota Lucanidae Lycidae Mordellidae (Pintail Beetles) Neospades sp Omorgus Paropsine Beetle Paropsisterna sp Phorticosomus sp Protaetia fusca Pterohelaeus sp Rhinotia haemoptera Rhipiceridae Scarabaeidae Tenebrionidae Xylophilostenus octophyllus

InsectsBees Beetles Blattodea Butterflies Coleoptera Cicada Crabronidae Diptera Dragonflies & Damselflies Formicidae Hemiptera Heteroptera Moths Orthoptera Orthopteroid Processionary Caterpillar Stink Bugs, Shield Bugs and Allies Wasps Water Scorpion (Laccotrephes tristis) Witchetty Grub