Scarabaeidae
Guides
Diplotaxis subcostata
Diplotaxis subcostata is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The species was described by Blanchard in 1851 and is distributed across the eastern and southern United States. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, it is attracted to lights at night and has been observed congregating on low vegetation, possibly in association with pheromone trails.
Diplotaxis tenebrosa
Diplotaxis tenebrosa is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, described by Henry Clinton Fall in 1909. The species belongs to the tribe Diplotaxini, a group of chafers commonly associated with sandy habitats. The specific epithet 'tenebrosa' (Latin for 'dark' or 'gloomy') likely refers to the species' dark coloration. Records indicate this species occurs in western North America, with specimens documented from multiple states and provinces in the Nearctic region.
Dynastes tityus
Eastern Hercules beetle, elephant beetle, ox beetle
Dynastes tityus, the eastern Hercules beetle, is among the largest and heaviest beetles in the United States. Males possess prominent thoracic and cephalic horns used in combat with rival males for access to mates. The species exhibits remarkable humidity-dependent color change in its elytra, shifting from green-gray-tan to deep brown when moisture is absorbed. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights. The complete life cycle may extend up to three years in the wild, with larvae developing in decaying wood within tree cavities.
Dynastinae
Rhinoceros beetles, Hercules beetles, unicorn beetles, horn beetles
Dynastinae is a subfamily of Scarabaeidae containing over 1,500 species across 225 genera, commonly known as rhinoceros beetles. Members are characterized by prominent horns on males of most species, used in combat for mating access. The subfamily includes some of the largest beetles, with species reaching over 15 cm in length. Despite their formidable appearance, they are harmless to humans.
Dynastini
True Rhinoceros Beetles
Dynastini is a tribe of large scarab beetles commonly known as true rhinoceros beetles. The group includes some of the largest and most iconic beetles in the world, with males typically bearing prominent horns on the head and pronotum used in combat. Notable genera include Dynastes (Hercules beetles), Megasoma, and Golofa. Members are primarily tropical and subtropical in distribution, with some species reaching temperate regions of North America.
Dyscinetus picipes
Dyscinetus picipes is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Dynastinae. It belongs to the tribe Cyclocephalini, a group of scarab beetles commonly known as rhinoceros beetles. The species has been recorded across the Nearctic and Neotropical regions, with distribution spanning the south-central and southwestern United States, Mexico, and various Caribbean islands. Available information on this species is limited, with few detailed biological studies published.
Euoniticellus intermedius
Northern Sandy Dung Beetle
Euoniticellus intermedius is an African dung beetle intentionally introduced to multiple continents for dung burial and livestock pest control. Males possess a distinctive horn absent in females, making it a model organism for sexual selection studies. The species exhibits remarkable tolerance to diverse environments and stressors, though it is sensitive to global change factors including warming and pollution. Larvae feed exclusively on cow dung fiber while adults consume juices from fresh dung.
Euparia castanea
Euparia castanea is an aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. The species is distributed across Central America and North America, with records from Mexico through Central America to Florida and Texas in the United States. As a member of the tribe Eupariini, it belongs to a group of scarab beetles often associated with ant colonies.
Eupariini
eupariine dung beetles, small dung beetles
Eupariini is a diverse tribe of small dung beetles in the subfamily Aphodiinae (Scarabaeidae). The tribe comprises over 40 genera and approximately 640 described species globally, with exceptional diversity in the Neotropics where around 28 genera and 333 species occur. Members are smaller than their sister lineage Scarabaeinae. The tribe has a broad geographic distribution spanning the Australian, Oriental, and Neotropical zoogeographical regions, with fossil representatives known from Eocene Baltic amber.
Euphoria
flower chafers, fruit chafers
Euphoria is a genus of scarab beetles in the subfamily Cetoniinae, commonly known as flower or fruit chafers. The genus contains 59 species as of 2012 and is native to the Americas, with its highest diversity in Mexico and Central America. These beetles are characterized by their association with flowers and fruits, where adults feed and aggregate.
Euphoria devulsa
Euphoria devulsa is a species of flower chafer beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Cetoniinae. The species was described by Horn in 1880 and is accepted as valid. It belongs to the genus Euphoria, a group of colorful scarab beetles commonly known as flower chafers or bumble flower beetles. Members of this genus are known for their bee-mimicking flight behavior and attraction to fermenting sap flows on trees.
Euphoria fascifera
Euphoria fascifera is a species of flower scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Cetoniinae. The species was described by LeConte in 1861. Two subspecies are recognized: E. f. fascifera (LeConte, 1861) and E. f. trapezium Casey, 1915. The genus Euphoria comprises colorful flower chafers known for their bee-mimicking flight behavior and attraction to sap flows and flowers.
Euphoria schottii
Euphoria schottii is a flower scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Cetoniinae. The genus Euphoria contains colorful species commonly known as flower chafers or bumble flower beetles, many of which exhibit Batesian mimicry of bees and wasps. Euphoria schottii is one of ten Euphoria species recorded from Arizona, where it occurs in association with agave plants. The species was described by Schott and is part of a genus whose taxonomy has undergone recent revision, with several former subspecies of E. fulgida elevated to full species status.
Eupleurus
Eupleurus is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. The genus was established by Mulsant in 1842 and includes species formerly classified under Aphodius. The best-documented species, Eupleurus subterraneus, occurs across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Flaviellus subtruncatus
Flaviellus subtruncatus is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae. It is a dung beetle native to western North America. The species was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1878. It is one of few species in the small genus Flaviellus, which is distinguished from related aphodiine genera by subtle morphological characters.
Fossocarus
Fossocarus is a monotypic genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The genus contains a single described species, F. creoleorum. It belongs to the tribe Melolonthini, commonly known as May beetles or Junebugs. The genus was established by Howden in 1961.
Genuchinus
Genuchinus is a genus of myrmecophilous scarab beetles comprising approximately 10 described species. These beetles are associated with ant colonies, though specific details of these relationships remain poorly documented. The genus was established by Westwood in 1874 and is classified within the tribe Cremastocheilini, subtribe Cremastocheilina. Most species have been described from Central and South America.
Genuchinus ineptus
Genuchinus ineptus is a myrmecophilous scarab beetle described by Horn in 1885. The species belongs to the tribe Cremastocheilini, a group known for associations with ants. Records indicate it occurs in Arizona, USA.
Geomyphilus insolitus
Geomyphilus insolitus is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. The species was described by Brown in 1928. It belongs to a genus associated with pocket gopher (Geomys spp.) burrows, suggesting a commensal or symbiotic relationship with these fossorial rodents. The species is known from multiple states in the central United States.
Geopsammodius fuscus
Geopsammodius fuscus is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Skelley in 2006. It belongs to the subfamily Aphodiinae and tribe Psammodiini, a group commonly known as psammophilic or sand-dwelling dung beetles. The species is known from limited records in Florida, USA.
Geopsammodius hydropicus
Atlantic dune tiny sand-loving scarab
Geopsammodius hydropicus is a small dung beetle species in the subfamily Aphodiinae, commonly known as the Atlantic dune tiny sand-loving scarab. The species is associated with sandy coastal habitats in the southeastern United States. It belongs to a genus whose members are specialized for life in sandy substrates.
Geopsammodius morrisi
Geopsammodius morrisi is a small scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, described by Paul Skelley in 2006. It belongs to a genus of psammophilic (sand-dwelling) beetles within the tribe Psammodiini. The species is known from a limited number of records in Florida, USA. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with sandy habitats, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Geopsammodius relictillus
relictual tiny sand-loving scarab
Geopsammodius relictillus is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described from Florida in 1991. The species epithet "relictillus" refers to its relictual status, suggesting it may represent a remnant population of a formerly more widespread group. It belongs to the tribe Psammodiini, whose members are commonly known as sand-loving scarabs due to their association with sandy habitats.
Geopsammodius unsidensis
Geopsammodius unsidensis is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It was described by Skelley in 2006. The species is known from North America, with records from Texas. As a member of the tribe Psammodiini, it is associated with sandy habitats.
Gnorimella maculosa
Maculated Scarab
Gnorimella maculosa is a monotypic scarab beetle and the sole representative of its genus. It is characterized by spotted elytral patterning that gives the species its name. The beetle is associated with deciduous woodland habitats in eastern North America. It is considered uncommon in collections and field observations.
Gronocarus
lobed spiny burrowing beetle, lobeless spiny burrowing beetle
Gronocarus is a small genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The genus contains at least three described species, including G. autumnalis and G. inornatus, which exhibit distinct morphological differences in pronotal lobe development. These beetles are burrowing species with spiny morphology.
Gronocarus inornatus
lobeless spiny burrowing beetle
Gronocarus inornatus is a small scarab beetle described by Skelley in 2003. It is endemic to a restricted coastal region of the Florida panhandle. The species is characterized by its glabrous, shining brown body and moderately elongate form. It is known by the common name 'lobeless spiny burrowing beetle,' though detailed ecological data remain limited.
Gymnetina
Gymnetina is a genus of flower and fruit chafers (Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) comprising approximately six described species. Members are attracted to sweet baits such as fermenting fruit or wine, and at least one subspecies (G. cretacea sundbergi) is endemic to the Organ Mountains of New Mexico. The genus occurs primarily in the Nearctic region, with species distributed across southwestern and south-central North America.
Gymnetina borealis
Gymnetina borealis is a species of flower chafer beetle (Cetoniinae) described from the southwestern United States. The species was formally described by Ratcliffe and Warner in 2011. As a member of the Gymnetini tribe, it belongs to a group of scarab beetles often associated with flowers and fruit. Very little biological information has been published for this species specifically.
Haroldiataenius convexus
Haroldiataenius convexus is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It was described by Robinson in 1940. The species is known from Texas, USA, within the Nearctic region. As a member of the subfamily Aphodiinae, it is associated with dung decomposition, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited.
Haroldiataenius semipilosus
Haroldiataenius semipilosus is a small dung beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, described by Van Dyke in 1928. As an aphodiine, it belongs to a group often associated with dung decomposition, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited. It occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Hemiphileurus
Hemiphileurus is a genus of rhinoceros beetles (Dynastinae) in the family Scarabaeidae, established by Kolbe in 1910. The genus comprises at least 60 described species distributed across the Neotropical region. Members are characterized by the typical dynastine morphology including horns or tubercles, though often less dramatically developed than in some related genera. The genus is part of the tribe Phileurini, which includes other horned scarabs with primarily tropical distributions.
Hologymnetis
fruit and flower chafers
Hologymnetis is a genus of fruit and flower chafers in the scarab beetle family Scarabaeidae, comprising approximately eight described species. The genus was established by Martinez in 1949 and is classified within the subfamily Cetoniinae and tribe Gymnetini. Species in this genus are distributed in the Neotropical region.
Hoplia
monkey beetles
Hoplia is a genus of scarab beetles commonly known as monkey beetles, comprising at least 300 described species distributed across Asia, Europe, South Africa, Madagascar, and the Americas. The genus is notable for its diverse and often striking coloration strategies, including structural colors produced by nanostructured scales on the elytra. Several species exhibit remarkable optical properties, such as rapid reversible color change upon water exposure in H. argentea, or diffusive angle-independent structural coloration that may enhance camouflage. Adults of many species are associated with flowers, where they feed on pollen and nectar, while larvae typically develop in soil or plant roots. Some species have become significant agricultural or turf pests, including H. philanthus in Europe and H. spectabilis in western China.
Hoplia hirta
Hoplia hirta is a scarab beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, described by LeConte in 1880. It is distributed in the western United States, with records from California, Nevada, and Oregon. Like other members of the genus Hoplia, it is likely associated with flowering plants as an adult, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented. The species name 'hirta' refers to hairy or bristly characteristics, presumably of the adult beetle's body surface.
Hoplia mucorea
Hoplia mucorea is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It has been recorded from multiple U.S. states (California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina) and Sonora, Mexico. The species belongs to the genus Hoplia, which comprises small to medium-sized scarab beetles often associated with flowers and vegetation.
Hoplia trifasciata
three-lined hoplia, three lined hoplium
Hoplia trifasciata is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It occurs in eastern North America, ranging from Canada through the eastern United States. The species is relatively small and belongs to a genus commonly known as hoplia beetles or monkey beetles.
Hopliini
Monkey Beetles
Hopliini is a tribe of scarab beetles commonly known as monkey beetles, established by Latreille in 1829. The tribe's placement within Scarabaeidae remains uncertain, with some classifications placing it in Melolonthinae and others in Rutelinae. Members are characterized by their frequent association with flowers, where they feed on pollen, nectar, and floral tissues. The tribe is particularly diverse and ecologically significant in the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa, where they serve as important pollinators for numerous plant families.
Hypotrichia spissipes
Florida Hypotrichia
Hypotrichia spissipes is a scarab beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1861. The species is native to Florida and has been recorded from sand scrub habitat on the Lake Wales Ridge in central Florida. The common name 'Florida Hypotrichia' reflects its apparent geographic association with the state. Available information on this species is limited, with most records being specimen-based occurrences rather than detailed biological studies.
Lechorodius lutulentus
A small scarab beetle in the dung beetle subfamily Aphodiinae, distributed across the eastern and central United States. The species name "lutulentus" (Latin for muddy or turbid) may reference coloration or habitat associations. It belongs to a genus of aphodiine dung beetles that are generally associated with decaying organic matter.
Lechorodius terminalis
Lechorodius terminalis is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. Described by Thomas Say in 1823, this species is distributed across the Nearctic region of North America. As a member of the Aphodiini tribe, it belongs to a group of beetles commonly associated with dung decomposition. The genus Lechorodius is classified within the Aphodiinae, a diverse subfamily of scarab beetles that play important ecological roles in nutrient cycling.
Leiopsammodius
Leiopsammodius is a genus of aphodiine dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, established by Rakovič in 1981. The genus contains more than 40 described species. Members of this genus belong to the tribe Psammodiini, which are often associated with sandy substrates. As with other aphodiine dung beetles, species in this genus are likely involved in the decomposition of organic matter.
Leptohoplia
shining leaf chafers
Leptohoplia is a genus of shining leaf chafers (Rutelinae) established by Saylor in 1935. The genus contains at least two described species: L. carlsoni and L. testaceipennis. It belongs to the tribe Anomalini within the scarab beetle family Scarabaeidae.
Ligyrus
Ligyrus is a genus of scarab beetles in the tribe Pentodontini, distributed across the Americas. The genus was erected by Hermann Burmeister in 1847, subsequently merged with Tomarus, and restored as a valid genus in 2022 based on phylogenetic and morphological evidence. It contains approximately 16 recognized species, including the economically significant carrot beetle (Ligyrus gibbosus). Species are assigned to two subgenera: Ligyrodes and Ligyrus.
Ligyrus peninsularis
Ligyrus peninsularis is a scarab beetle in the subfamily Dynastinae (rhinoceros beetles), described by Casey in 1915. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Baja California region of Mexico. Like other members of the genus, it is likely associated with sandy or loose soil habitats where larvae develop. Adult activity patterns and specific ecological relationships remain poorly documented in published literature.
Ligyrus relictus
Relict Rhinoceros Beetle
Ligyrus relictus is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is widely distributed across North America, with records from much of the United States and southern Canada. The species has been documented in 585 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is relatively well-encountered by naturalists. Common name: Relict Rhinoceros Beetle.
Liothorax
Liothorax is a genus of scarab beetles in the subfamily Aphodiinae, historically treated as a subgenus of Aphodius. Species are characterized by elongate, parallel-sided to hemicylindrical bodies and distinctive head morphology lacking tubercles on the frontoclypeal suture. The genus comprises at least 16 Palaearctic species divided into niger and plagiatus species groups, plus additional species in the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Recent revisions have used chromosomal analysis and molecular phylogenetics to clarify species boundaries.
Lissomelas
Lissomelas is a genus of myrmecophilic scarab beetles established by Bates in 1889. The genus contains a single described species, L. flohri. These beetles are associated with ant colonies, a lifestyle characteristic of the tribe Cremastocheilini within the subfamily Cetoniinae.
Listrochelus disparilis
Listrochelus disparilis is a scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. It was described by Horn in 1878 and occurs in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The species belongs to the tribe Rhizotrogini, which includes many root-feeding scarabs commonly known as May beetles or June beetles.
Listrochelus fimbripes
Listrochelus fimbripes is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae, described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1856. It is a member of the tribe Rhizotrogini, a group of soil-dwelling scarabs commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The species is documented from scattered localities across the south-central and southwestern United States.