Ochodaeidae

Definition

A small family of scarabaeiform beetles (Coleoptera), commonly called sand-loving scarab beetles, distributed across multiple continents and typically associated with sandy or loose-soil habitats.

Etymology

Example

Members of Ochodaeidae are often collected in pitfall traps set in dry sandy areas, where they burrow and feed on organic matter or fungal material in the soil.

Synonyms

• sand-loving scarab beetles

Related Terms

• Scarabaeiformia
• Coleoptera
• Scarabaeidae
• Trogidae
• Scarab beetles
• edaphic fauna

Usage Notes

The family is morphologically and ecologically distinct from the larger scarab families Scarabaeidae and Geotrupidae; adults are generally small, compact, and exhibit reduced wing venation. The common name reflects their strong preference for sandy substrates rather than a strict psammophilic specialization. Streubel (1846) and Mulsant & Rey (1871) published early family-level treatments, though modern phylogenetic placement within Scarabaeoidea remains an active area of study.