Coprini
Coprini
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Coleoptera
- Suborder: Polyphaga
- Superfamily: Scarabaeoidea
- Family: Scarabaeidae
- Subfamily: Scarabaeinae
- Tribe: Coprini
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Coprini: /koʊˈpraɪnaɪ/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Coprini, a tribe of dung beetles, consists of shiny black, moderately sized beetles, known for their tunneling behavior and ecological role in processing dung.
Physical Characteristics
Shiny black, moderate to large size (9–30 mm), strongly convex shape.
Identification Tips
Look for nocturnal behavior and tunneling patterns in dung or necrotic matter.
Habitat
Primarily associated with dung and decaying organic material.
Distribution
Found in the New World with more than 900 species across 21 genera.
Diet
Predominantly coprophagous, some are necrophagous.
Life Cycle
Tunnels are constructed for nesting, involving the burial of dung.
Ecosystem Role
Important in nutrient recycling through dung burial and decomposition.
Evolution
The placement of several genera within these tribes has little phylogenetic validity and may change.
Misconceptions
Some may assume all scarab beetles are similar in behavior and morphology, but variations exist among tribes.
Tags
- scarab beetles
- Coprini
- dung beetles
- ecology
- entomology