ColeopteraAmarygmus sp Anoplognathus sp Aphanestes gymnopleura Buprestidae Cerambycidae Coleoptera (Beetles) Curculionidae Digitonthophagus gazella Dung Beetle Eretes australis Helea scaphiformis Johannica gemellata (Pandorea Leaf Beetle) Ladybirds (Beetles) Lepidiota Lucanidae Neospades sp Lycidae Omorgus Paropsine Beetle Paropsisterna sp Pittosporum Leaf Beetle (Lamprolina impressicollis) Protaetia fusca Pterohelaeus sp Rhipiceridae Scarabaeidae Xylophilostenus octophyllus

ScarabaeidaeScarabaeinae (Dung Beetles)

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/https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/b7605fd6-23d5-499c-82c7-f4f2727c53a5
  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/

ScarabaeidaeScarabaeinae (Dung Beetles)

ColeopteraAmarygmus sp Anoplognathus sp Aphanestes gymnopleura Buprestidae Cerambycidae Coleoptera (Beetles) Curculionidae Digitonthophagus gazella Dung Beetle Eretes australis Helea scaphiformis Johannica gemellata (Pandorea Leaf Beetle) Ladybirds (Beetles) Lepidiota Lucanidae Neospades sp Lycidae Omorgus Paropsine Beetle Paropsisterna sp Pittosporum Leaf Beetle (Lamprolina impressicollis) Protaetia fusca Pterohelaeus sp Rhipiceridae Scarabaeidae Xylophilostenus octophyllus

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