Scarabaeidae
Guides
Cryptoscatomaseter
Cryptoscatomaseter is a genus of dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It was described by Gordon and Skelley in 2007 and is known from the Neotropical region. Members of this genus are small to medium-sized scarab beetles associated with dung decomposition. The genus is part of the diverse Aphodiini tribe, which contains many species that feed on animal feces.
Cryptoscatomaseter brevicollis
Cryptoscatomaseter brevicollis is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. The species was described by LeConte in 1878. It belongs to a genus of dung beetles typically associated with mammal dung decomposition. The specific epithet 'brevicollis' refers to the short-necked condition of the pronotum.
Cryptoscatomaseter criddlei
Cryptoscatomaseter criddlei is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Brown in 1928. It belongs to the genus Cryptoscatomaseter, a group of small aphodiine scarabs. The species is known from a limited number of records in the northern Great Plains and adjacent regions of North America.
Cryptoscatomaseter haldemani
Cryptoscatomaseter haldemani is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It belongs to a genus of small dung beetles found in North America. The species was described by Horn in 1887 and is distributed across the central and southern United States.
Cryptoscatomaseter paulseni
Cryptoscatomaseter paulseni is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, first described from specimens collected in Kansas and Nebraska. It belongs to a genus of small dung beetles whose members are poorly documented in the scientific literature. The species is known only from a limited number of records in the central Great Plains region of the United States.
Cryptoscatomaseter rossi
Cryptoscatomaseter rossi is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It was described by Cartwright in 1944. The genus Cryptoscatomaseter belongs to the dung beetle tribe Aphodiini. Distribution records indicate presence in Texas, USA.
Cryptoscatomaseter umbricollis
A small scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, known from the southwestern United States. The species name 'umbricollis' refers to the shaded or dark collar region. It belongs to a genus of aphodiine dung beetles with limited documented natural history.
Cryptoscatomaseter utopensis
Cryptoscatomaseter utopensis is a small scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, described from Utah in 2006. The genus Cryptoscatomaseter was established to accommodate species previously misplaced in related genera. This species is known only from the type locality in Utah and represents one of the few documented members of this genus in North America. It belongs to a group of dung beetles often associated with rodent burrows and subterranean environments.
Cyclocephala aravaipensis
Cyclocephala aravaipensis is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Dynastinae, first described by Brett Ratcliffe in 1992. It belongs to the masked chafer genus Cyclocephala, a group of beetles whose larvae are commonly known as "white grubs" and are significant pests of turfgrass. The species epithet "aravaipensis" refers to the Aravaipa region in Arizona, indicating its known geographic association. Like other members of its genus, adults are small brown beetles with a distinctive dark facial marking, while larvae are cream-colored, C-shaped grubs that feed on plant roots.
Cyclocephala longula
Cyclocephala longula is a rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Dynastinae. It is a member of the masked chafer group, characterized by adults with a distinctive dark facial marking. The species is native to western North America, ranging from Canada through the western United States into northern Mexico. Like other Cyclocephala species, the larvae are white grubs that feed on plant roots, though specific life history details for this species remain poorly documented.
Cyclocephala lurida
Southern Masked Chafer
Cyclocephala lurida, commonly known as the southern masked chafer, is a scarab beetle native to the southeastern United States. Adults are small brown beetles with distinctive black facial markings, measuring 10–14 mm in length. The species is univoltine, with adults active primarily in June and July. While adults do not feed on plants and cause no damage, the subterranean larvae—known as white grubs—are significant turfgrass pests that feed on grass roots and can cause extensive lawn damage under dry conditions.
Cyclocephala robusta
Cyclocephala robusta is a species of masked chafer beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1863. It belongs to the subfamily Dynastinae, though unlike many members of this group it lacks the large horns characteristic of the subfamily. The species is native to the south-central and southeastern United States. Like other Cyclocephala species, it likely has a life cycle involving root-feeding larval stages and adult beetles that do not feed on plants.
Dellacasiellus laevigatus
Dellacasiellus laevigatus is a small scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, first described by Haldeman in 1848. The genus Dellacasiellus was established to accommodate species formerly placed in related genera such as Aphodius. This species occurs in the southeastern United States. As a member of the Aphodiinae, it is presumed to be associated with dung or decaying organic matter, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Dellacasiellus pseudofucosus
Dellacasiellus pseudofucosus is a small scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, described by Gordon and Skelley in 2007. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, with records from California and Baja California. As a member of the Aphodiinae, it likely functions as a detritivore associated with mammal dung. The specific epithet 'pseudofucosus' indicates morphological similarity to D. fucosus.
Dellacasiellus ruficlarus
Dellacasiellus ruficlarus is a species of dung beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, originally described by Fall in 1932. It belongs to a small genus of aphodiine scarabs distributed across western North America. The species has been documented in arid and semi-arid regions from Canada to Mexico.
Deltochilum gibbosum
humpback dung beetle
Deltochilum gibbosum, commonly known as the humpback dung beetle, is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It belongs to the subgenus Hybomidium and is found in the southeastern United States. The species is associated with dung, particularly from wild hogs. A former variety, D. gibbosum var. sublaeve, has been reclassified as a separate species D. sublaeve.
Deltochilum scabriusculum
Deltochilum scabriusculum is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, distributed from the southern United States through Mexico and Central America. The subspecies D. s. montanum was synonymized with the nominate form in a 2012 taxonomic revision. Like other members of its genus, it belongs to a group historically associated with dung-feeding behavior, though specific ecological studies for this species are lacking.
Dexia
Dexia is a genus of tachinid flies (Diptera: Tachinidae) established by Meigen in 1826. The genus belongs to the subfamily Dexiinae and tribe Dexiini. Most larvae are parasitoids of scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae), though some species attack other beetle families. The genus is distributed across Europe, with confirmed records from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Dialytellus
Dialytellus is a genus of aphodiine dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, established by Brown in 1929. The genus comprises at least three described species distributed in the Nearctic region. As members of the Aphodiinae subfamily, these beetles are associated with dung decomposition. The genus is relatively small and understudied, with limited ecological data available.
Dialytes
Dialytes is a genus of aphodiine dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, established by Harold in 1869. The genus contains five described species distributed in North America. As members of the subfamily Aphodiinae, these beetles are associated with dung and decomposing organic matter. The genus is relatively small and understudied compared to other aphodiine genera.
Dialytes truncatus
Dialytes truncatus is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from the United States and Canada. As a member of the Aphodiinae subfamily, it is associated with dung habitats. The species was first described by Melsheimer in 1845.
Dialytes ulkei
Dialytes ulkei is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Horn in 1875. The species is distributed across eastern and central North America, with records from Canada (Ontario, Quebec) and the United States (Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, South Carolina, Wisconsin). As a member of the Aphodiinae, it is associated with dung and decaying organic matter.
Dialytodius
Dialytodius is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. The genus was established by Gordon and Skelley in 2007. It belongs to the tribe Aphodiini and is currently recognized as valid. Species in this genus are part of the diverse aphodiine dung beetle fauna of the Nearctic region.
Dichelonyx canadensis
May beetle, junebug
Dichelonyx canadensis is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae, commonly referred to as a May beetle or junebug. The species occurs in North America, with documented records from Canada (Labrador, Ontario, Quebec) and the United States (South Dakota, Wisconsin). As a member of the genus Dichelonyx, it belongs to a group of beetles whose larvae typically develop in soil and feed on plant roots.
Dichelonyx diluta
Dichelonyx diluta is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Fall in 1901. It is a small scarab belonging to the tribe Dichelonychini, a group commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The species is distributed across northeastern North America, with records from both the United States and Canada.
Dichelonyx elongatula
Dichelonyx elongatula is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is found in North America, with confirmed records from New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island in Canada. The species is a small, elongate scarab that has been documented in bottle trap collections in sand dune and woodland habitats. As a member of the genus Dichelonyx, it belongs to a group of scarabs commonly referred to as June beetles or May beetles, though specific life history details for this species remain poorly documented.
Dichelonyx fulgida
Dichelonyx fulgida is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae, tribe Dichelonychini. Described by LeConte in 1856, this species belongs to a genus of North American May beetles. The genus Dichelonyx comprises approximately 20 species distributed primarily in western and central North America. Like other members of the tribe Dichelonychini, adults are typically active in spring and are attracted to lights. Larvae develop in soil, feeding on roots of various plants.
Dichelonyx sulcata
Dichelonyx sulcata is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, tribe Dichelonychini. The species was described by LeConte in 1856 and is native to North America. Very little specific biological information is documented for this species. A single observation from southwestern Utah in September notes a tiny Dichelonyx-like scarab captured in a yellow bottle trap in sand dune habitat adjacent to Ponderosa pine woodlands.
Dichelonyx vicina
Dichelonyx vicina is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. The species is known to occur in North America. Two subspecies are recognized: Dichelonyx vicina columbiana Hopping, 1931 and Dichelonyx vicina vicina. Beyond this basic taxonomic information, detailed biological and ecological data for this species remain limited in the available literature.
Dichotomius
Dichotomius is a genus of scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) established by Hope in 1838. Species in the genus are medium-sized to large dung beetles, with members of the depressicollis species group measuring 17.4–27.3 mm. The genus belongs to the tribe Dichotomiini and is distributed across the Neotropical and Nearctic regions.
Digitonthophagus
Digitonthophagus is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, tribe Onthophagini. The genus was established by Balthasar in 1959 and was historically treated as a subgenus of Onthophagus by some authorities. A comprehensive taxonomic review was published in 2017, resulting in the description of numerous new species. The genus currently comprises 16 recognized species distributed across the Afrotropical, Oriental, and Palaearctic regions. Members are dung beetles that exhibit the typical scarabaeine behavior of dung burial for larval provisioning.
Digitonthophagus gazella
Gazelle scarab, Brown dung beetle
Digitonthophagus gazella is a dung beetle native to Afro-Asian regions that has been widely introduced across the Americas, Australia, and Pacific islands for biological control of cattle dung. The species exhibits rapid colonization ability due to high reproductive rates, opportunistic resource utilization, and strong dispersal capacity. It has become established in numerous tropical and subtropical regions, with documented naturalized populations in North, Central, and South America. The species shows complex nesting behavior involving tunnel construction by both sexes and has been extensively studied for its ecological impacts on native dung beetle assemblages.
Dinacoma caseyi
Casey's June beetle
Dinacoma caseyi, commonly known as Casey's June beetle, is a rare scarab beetle endemic to a restricted area in Riverside County, California. The species is listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, with approximately 237 hectares designated as critical habitat. The beetle belongs to the genus Dinacoma, which contains only a few species of June beetles found in western North America.
Dinera
Dinera fly
Dinera is a genus of tachinid flies established by Robineau-Desvoidy in 1830. The genus comprises approximately 24 described species distributed across the Holarctic region, with notable diversity in China. Larvae of most species are parasitoids of scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae), making this genus economically relevant for biological control of certain beetle pests.
Diplotaxis abnormis
Diplotaxis abnormis is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The species was described by Fall in 1909 and belongs to the tribe Diplotaxini. It is distributed in the southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico) and northern Mexico (Chihuahua, Sonora). Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, it is likely a nocturnal species that congregates on vegetation to detect pheromone trails for mate location.
Diplotaxis arizonica
Diplotaxis arizonica is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, and tribe Diplotaxini. It was described by Schaeffer in 1907. The species is known from Arizona, USA, within the Nearctic region. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, it is likely a chafer beetle with larvae that develop in soil, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Diplotaxis beyeri
Diplotaxis beyeri is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, and tribe Diplotaxini. The species was described by Schaeffer in 1907. It occurs in the southwestern United States and northeastern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, adults are typically nocturnal and may be found on low vegetation.
Diplotaxis blanchardi
Diplotaxis blanchardi is a small scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae, described by Vaurie in 1956. The species is known from scattered records across the central and eastern United States. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, adults are nocturnal and frequently attracted to lights. The species has been documented in sand dune habitats and grassland environments.
Diplotaxis brachyptera
A small scarab beetle in the genus Diplotaxis, family Scarabaeidae, described by Patricia Vaurie in 1960. The species name 'brachyptera' (short-winged) suggests reduced flight capability. Records indicate presence in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Like other Diplotaxis species, adults are likely nocturnal and may aggregate on vegetation.
Diplotaxis brevisetosa
Diplotaxis brevisetosa is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, tribe Diplotaxini, described by Linell in 1897. It is a small chafer beetle occurring in the Nearctic region, specifically known from Texas. Like other members of its genus, it is attracted to lights at night and has been observed congregating on low vegetation. The specific epithet 'brevisetosa' refers to short setae (bristles), a distinctive morphological feature of this species.
Diplotaxis connata
Diplotaxis connata is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Schaeffer in 1905. It belongs to the tribe Diplotaxini within the subfamily Melolonthinae. The species is known from North America, with records from Arizona. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, adults are typically attracted to lights at night and may be found on low vegetation.
Diplotaxis fimbriata
May beetle, junebug
Diplotaxis fimbriata is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly referred to as a May beetle or junebug. The species was described by Fall in 1909 and occurs in the western Nearctic region. It is found in California (USA) and Baja California (Mexico), representing a relatively restricted geographic range within the genus Diplotaxis. Like other members of the tribe Diplotaxini, adults are likely nocturnal and attracted to light sources.
Diplotaxis fissilabris
A small scarab beetle in the genus Diplotaxis, first described by Fall in 1909. Members of this genus are commonly known as chafers and are typically nocturnal, attracted to lights. The specific epithet "fissilabris" refers to a cleft or split lip, likely describing a distinctive labral feature. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Diplotaxis haydenii
Diplotaxis haydenii is a small scarab beetle (family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae) in the tribe Diplotaxini. The genus Diplotaxis comprises small chafers, and D. haydenii is one of approximately 200 species in this primarily New World genus. It is known from western North America, with records from the Rocky Mountain region and adjacent areas. Like other Diplotaxis species, adults are attracted to lights at night and have been observed congregating on low vegetation.
Diplotaxis muricata
Diplotaxis muricata is a small scarab beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The genus Diplotaxis comprises chafers—small to medium-sized scarabs often attracted to lights at night. The species was described by Schaeffer in 1907 and is known from the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. Like other Diplotaxis species, adults are likely nocturnal and may be found on low vegetation.
Diplotaxis puberula
Downy Diplotaxis
Diplotaxis puberula is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by LeConte in 1863. It is distributed across parts of North and Central America, with records from Texas in the United States and the Mexican states of Nuevo León and Tamaulipas. The species belongs to the chafers (Melolonthinae), a diverse subfamily whose larvae typically develop in soil and feed on roots.
Diplotaxis rudis
Diplotaxis rudis is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by LeConte in 1859. It belongs to the subfamily Melolonthinae and tribe Diplotaxini. The species is found in North America, with records from Kansas, North Dakota, and Texas. Very little specific information about its biology or ecology has been documented in the available literature.
Diplotaxis rufa
Rufous Scarab Beetle
Diplotaxis rufa is a scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The species was described by Linell in 1896. Records indicate presence in the southeastern United States, specifically Florida and Georgia. As a member of the genus Diplotaxis, it belongs to a group commonly known as May beetles or June beetles, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
ScarabaeidaeMelolonthinaeColeopteraNearcticUSAFloridaGeorgia1896-descriptionLinellDiplotaxiniscarab-beetleMay-beetleJune-beetleLinell-1896Diplotaxis-rufa-Linell-1896scarabbeetleinsectarthropodanimalscarabaeoidpolyphagastaphyliniformiascarabaeoideadiplotaxisrufarufoussoutheastern-United-Statessoutheast-USNorth-AmericaNearctic-regionDiplotaxis simplex
Diplotaxis simplex is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, and tribe Diplotaxini. It was described by Blanchard in 1851. The species is known to occur in Central America and North America. Very little detailed biological information has been published for this species.
Diplotaxis subangulata
Diplotaxis subangulata is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, described by LeConte in 1856. The genus Diplotaxis comprises small chafers, and this species occurs across western North America from British Columbia to Baja California, with records throughout the southwestern United States. Adults have been observed congregating on low vegetation, apparently to intercept pheromone trails in search of mates. The species is attracted to lights at night.