Aegialia convexa

Aegialia convexa can be distinguished from other Aegialia species by its convex body form, as indicated by the specific epithet. Members of the genus Aegialia are small to medium-sized scarab beetles with compact, often convex bodies and clubbed antennae. The tribe Aegialiini is characterized by adaptations to sandy habitats, including fossorial legs. Specific diagnostic features for A. convexa relative to congeners such as A. arenaria or A. opaca would require examination of subtle differences in elytral sculpture, pronotal shape, and male genitalia.

Species in the tribe Aegialiini are typically associated with sandy coastal environments, including beaches, dunes, and riverine sand deposits. Aegialia convexa has been documented in sandy habitats in California.

North America: recorded from California, USA. The species occurs within the Nearctic region.

As a member of the Aphodiinae, Aegialia convexa likely contributes to nutrient cycling in sandy ecosystems through the processing of organic matter, though specific ecological functions for this species have not been documented.

• Aegialia arenariaAnother North American Aegialia species found in sandy coastal habitats; distinguished by differences in body shape and elytral punctation.
• Aegialia opacaA congeneric species with which A. convexa may co-occur in western North American sandy habitats; separation requires detailed morphological examination.

• dung beetle
• sand beetle
• coastal
• California
• Scarabaeidae
• Aphodiinae

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• Catalogue of Life
• Meloidae Holdings | Entomology Research Museum
• Cleridae | Beetles In The Bush | Page 2
• Buprestidae | Beetles In The Bush | Page 7
• beetles | Beetles In The Bush | Page 11