Earth-Boring Scarab Beetles

Geotrupidae

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Geotrupidae: /dʒiːoʊˈtruːpɪdiː/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Geotrupes blackburnii - inat 56838436 by {{{name}}}. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Geotrupes blackburnii - inat 56838436 by {{{name}}}. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Cnemotrupes blackburni by http://v3.boldsystems.org/index.php/Taxbrowser_Taxonpage?taxon=Geotrupes+blackburnii&searchTax=. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.
Odonteus liebecki by Jacy Lucier. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Eucanthus impressus - inat 56837746 by {{{name}}}. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Bolbocerosoma tumefactum, yellow, PWRC, md Face 2018-07-04-18.16 (43265450651) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Summary

Geotrupidae, commonly known as earth-boring dung beetles, are a family of beetles distinguished by their stout bodies, unique habits of burrowing, and an ecological role in nutrient recycling through detritivory.

Physical Characteristics

Body stout, often hemispherical; size ranges from 5-45 mm; antennae 11-segmented, distinguishing them from other beetles in the Scarabaeidae family that have fewer segments.

Identification Tips

Look for stout, hemispherical bodies and count the antenna segments for proper identification; members of Geotrupidae have 11 segments in their antennae.

Habitat

These beetles spend most of their lives in burrows that can be one to four feet deep, often under dung or carrion, and some burrows can exceed 2 meters in depth.

Distribution

About 55 species in 11 genera in the Nearctic; approximately 620 species in about 70 genera globally, arranged into 13 tribes and 3 subfamilies.

Diet

Larvae feed on dung or carrion; adults primarily feed on dung or fungi, although some may not feed at all.

Life Cycle

Eggs are laid in or on a provisioning mass (leaf litter or dung) and buried; larvae develop by feeding on the provisions.

Reproduction

Geotrupidae exhibit varied reproductive strategies, primarily laying eggs in burrows containing organic matter for larval nourishment.

Ecosystem Role

As primarily detritivores, they play a crucial role in nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition in their ecosystems.

Collecting Methods

  • Hand collecting
  • Pitfall traps
  • Light traps

Preservation Methods

  • Ethanol preservation
  • Dry storage in insect boxes
  • Pinning

Evolution

Originally classified as the subfamily Geotrupinae within Scarabaeidae before being elevated to family status; notable for their unique structure and phylogenetic relationships among beetles.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Often confused with true dung beetles due to their similar feeding habits; however, not all geotrupids are coprophagous like traditional dung beetles.

Tags

  • Geotrupidae
  • Earth-Boring Scarab Beetles
  • Dung Beetles
  • Coleoptera
  • Insects