Odonteus liebecki
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Coleoptera
- Suborder: Polyphaga
- Superfamily: Scarabaeoidea
- Family: Geotrupidae
- Subfamily: Bolboceratinae
- Genus: Odonteus
- Species: liebecki
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Odonteus liebecki: //oʊˈdɒntiːəs liːˈbɛki//
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Summary
Odonteus liebecki is a North American earth-boring scarab beetle that contributes to soil health and decomposition of organic materials.
Physical Characteristics
6–10 mm in length.
Identification Tips
Identification can be made based on its characteristic body shape and size relative to other scarab beetles.
Habitat
Typically found in soil where it bores and resides.
Distribution
Found in North America, specifically from North Carolina to Ontario and Wisconsin.
Diet
Primarily feeds on decaying organic matter and plant material in the soil.
Life Cycle
The life cycle includes the larval stage, which develops underground, feeding on organic matter.
Reproduction
Reproduction occurs during warmer months, specifically noted between May to October.
Predators
Natural predators may include birds and other insectivorous animals.
Ecosystem Role
As an earth-boring beetle, it plays a role in soil aeration and organic matter breakdown.
Collecting Methods
- Pitfall traps
- Hand collecting in soil areas
Preservation Methods
- Drying
- Ethanol preservation
Similar Taxa
- Other species in the Geotrupidae family
- Other scarab beetles
Tags
- beetle
- Geotrupidae
- North America
- scarab beetle
- earth-boring