Scarabaeidae
Guides
Pseudocanthon perplexus
four-toothed dung beetle
Pseudocanthon perplexus, commonly known as the four-toothed dung beetle, is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is distributed from the United States south through Venezuela, with records from Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Antilles. The species was originally described as Canthon perplexus by LeConte in 1847 and later transferred to the genus Pseudocanthon.
Pseudocotalpa andrewsi
Andrew's Dune Scarab Beetle, Andrews dune scarab beetle, Andrews dune beetle
Pseudocotalpa andrewsi is a species of shining leaf chafer in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as Andrew's Dune Scarab Beetle. It belongs to a small genus of ruteline scarabs. The specific epithet and common name honor an individual named Andrews. As a member of the Rutelinae subfamily, it shares characteristics with other shining leaf chafers, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented in published literature.
Pseudocotalpa sonorica
Sonoran shining leaf chafer
Pseudocotalpa sonorica is a species of shining leaf chafer endemic to the Algodones Dunes in North America. The holotype male measures 21 mm in length. The species belongs to the family Scarabaeidae and has been described in detail including its larval stage.
Psilocnemis
Psilocnemis is a genus of myrmecophilic beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, established by Burmeister in 1842. The genus contains a single described species, P. leucosticta. These beetles are associated with ants, though specific details of this relationship remain poorly documented. The genus belongs to the tribe Cremastocheilini, a group known for ant-associated scarab beetles.
Rhizotrogini
Rhizotrogini is a tribe of scarab beetles within the subfamily Melolonthinae, established by Burmeister in 1855. The tribe contains genera distributed across the Palearctic region, including Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Several genera within Rhizotrogini contain species of agronomic importance, particularly in India where members are considered June beetles. The tribe has been subject to recent taxonomic revision, with species reclassified between genera and new species described from biogeographically significant regions such as Sardinia and Iran.
Rhyssemus puncticollis
Rhyssemus puncticollis is a small dung beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Brown in 1929. The species has been recorded from both the Palaearctic region (central and eastern Europe) and the Nearctic region (Ontario, Canada), indicating a transatlantic distribution. It belongs to the tribe Psammodiini, which typically includes species associated with sandy or psammophilous habitats. The specific epithet 'puncticollis' refers to punctation on the pronotum.
Rhyssemus scaber
Rhyssemus scaber is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Haldeman in 1848. The species is known from multiple states in the eastern and central United States. As a member of the subfamily Aphodiinae, it belongs to a group of beetles commonly associated with dung and decaying organic matter. The genus Rhyssemus contains species typically adapted to sandy or psammophilic habitats.
Rutelini
shining leaf chafers
Rutelini is a tribe of scarab beetles commonly known as shining leaf chafers, distinguished by their often metallic or iridescent coloration. The tribe comprises approximately 14 genera and at least 40 described species, with notable genera including Chrysina (jewel scarabs), Pelidnota, and Macraspis. Members are primarily distributed in the New World tropics and subtropics. Many species exhibit striking structural coloration and have been subjects of taxonomic revision due to their morphological diversity and conservation interest.
Scabrostomus peculiosus
Scabrostomus peculiosus is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It belongs to a genus of small to medium-sized scarab beetles associated with dung and decaying organic matter. The species was described by Schmidt in 1917 and is known from a limited number of records in central North America. It is one of the less documented members of the Aphodiinae, a diverse group of beetles often overlooked due to their cryptic habits.
Schaefferellus
Schaefferellus is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It was established by Gordon and Skelley in 2007 and is classified within the tribe Aphodiini. The genus belongs to the dung beetle group Aphodiina, which are generally small to medium-sized beetles associated with decomposing organic matter. Very little published information exists on the biology or species diversity of this genus.
Schaefferellus arizonensis
Schaefferellus arizonensis is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, described by Schaeffer in 1907. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. As a member of the Aphodiinae, it belongs to a group commonly known as dung beetles, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Serica anthracina
Serica anthracina is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by LeConte in 1856. Adults measure 5–8.5 mm in length and exhibit variable coloration ranging from uniform testaceous to black. The species is distributed across western North America, from the Canadian prairies through the Rocky Mountain region to the Pacific coast.
Serica aspera
Serica aspera is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Dawson in 1921. It belongs to the genus Serica, a large and taxonomically challenging group of chafers commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. Adults are distinguished from close relatives by subtle morphological differences, particularly in antennal structure. The species has a restricted distribution in the southeastern United States.
Serica atracapilla
Serica atracapilla is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, distributed across eastern and central North America. Adults measure approximately 10 mm in length and are characterized by their chestnut-brown coloration and polished, shining upper surface lacking any silky or pruinose luster. The species has been recorded from 19 U.S. states and 7 Canadian provinces, indicating a broad geographic range within the Nearctic region.
Serica campestris
Serica campestris is a small scarab beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Dawson in 1919. Adults measure approximately 8.5 mm in length and are characterized by their very dark mahogany coloration with a bare, polished, and shining upper surface that lacks any sericeous or pruinose luster. The species is known from a limited distribution in the central United States.
Serica elusa
Serica elusa is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Dawson in 1919. Adults measure approximately 10 mm in length and are characterized by their chestnut-brown coloration with a polished, shining upper surface lacking any sericeous or pruinose luster. The species is restricted to the northeastern Nearctic region, occurring in parts of Canada and the northeastern United States.
Serica georgiana
Serica georgiana is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Leng in 1911. Adults measure approximately 9.5 mm in length and exhibit variable coloration ranging from pale to very dark chestnut, with a polished, shining surface. The species occurs across much of eastern North America, with two recognized subspecies showing distinct geographic distributions.
Serica howdeni
Serica howdeni is a small scarab beetle described by Dawson in 1967. Adults measure approximately 8 mm in length and are characterized by a dark brown, glabrous, and shining exosurface densely covered with moderate-sized punctures. The species is known only from Texas in the southern United States.
Serica opposita
Serica opposita is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Dawson in 1921. Adults reach approximately 8 mm in length and are very similar in appearance to the congeneric species Serica spicula, though slightly larger. The species is distributed across the eastern and central United States.
Serica parallela
Serica parallela is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. Adults measure 7.5–8.5 mm in length. The species occurs across eastern and central North America, from the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec south to Texas and east to the Atlantic coast.
Serica porcula
Serica porcula is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Casey in 1885. Adults measure approximately 7 mm in length and exhibit distinctive reddish-brown coloration with polished elytra bearing faint longitudinal costae. The species is distributed across the southwestern and western United States.
Serica serotina
Serica serotina is a scarab beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae. Adults measure approximately 8–11 mm in length. The species is known from California, where it has been documented in multiple localities.
Serica tristis
May beetle, Junebug
Serica tristis is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as a May beetle or Junebug. Adults measure 7–8.5 mm and display variable coloration from chestnut to nearly black with a metallic iridescent sheen. The species is distributed across northeastern North America, with records from multiple Canadian provinces and adjacent U.S. states.
Serica vespertina accola
Serica vespertina accola is a subspecies of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Dawson in 1921. It belongs to a genus of small, brownish beetles commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The subspecies is documented from North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain limited in available sources.
Setodius
Setodius is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It was established by Gordon and Skelley in 2007 and belongs to the tribe Aphodiini. The genus is known from the Nearctic region. As a member of Aphodiinae, it is part of a diverse group of dung beetles, though specific ecological details for this genus remain poorly documented.
Stenotothorax
Stenotothorax is a genus of dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. The genus was established by Schmidt in 1914. Some taxonomic authorities treat Stenotothorax as a subgenus within Aphodius. Members of this group are small to medium-sized scarab beetles associated with decomposing organic matter.
Stenotothorax badipes
Stenotothorax badipes is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It occurs across much of eastern and central North America, with records from Canada and the United States. As a member of the Aphodiinae, it belongs to a group commonly known as small dung beetles or lesser dung beetles.
Stenotothorax gardneri
Stenotothorax gardneri is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It was described by Gordon in 2006. The species is known from a limited number of records in the south-central United States.
Stenotothorax oriens
Stenotothorax oriens is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae, described by Gordon and Skelley in 2007. It is a small dung beetle belonging to the tribe Aphodiini, a group commonly associated with decomposing organic matter. The species is known from limited collection records in the north-central United States.
Strategus
Ox Beetles
Strategus is a genus of rhinoceros beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as ox beetles. The genus is widespread in the Americas, ranging from Kansas southward through South America. Species in this genus are notable for their large size and prominent horns, particularly in males. Some species, such as S. aloeus, are significant agricultural pests of oil palm plantations in Latin America, where they reproduce in decomposing organic matter from replanting operations.
Strategus cessus
rhinoceros beetle
Strategus cessus is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Dynastinae. It belongs to a genus of large, horned scarabs found in the Americas. The species has been documented from the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Strategus mormon
Strategus mormon is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Dynastinae. It is a large scarab beetle native to the south-central United States. Like other members of its genus, males possess prominent cephalic and pronotal horns used in combat with other males. The species is primarily nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Strigoderma knausi
A small scarab beetle endemic to the Great Plains sand dune systems of south-central Kansas, Oklahoma, and northern Texas. Males are frequently encountered by sweeping low vegetation or at light traps, where they adopt a characteristic horizontal posture with forelegs extended and antennal clubs spread to detect female sex pheromones. The species was described from specimens collected by Warren Knaus in 1923–1925 at the type locality near Medora, Kansas, and named in his honor. Females are extraordinarily rare in collections, with only a single specimen among nearly 100 examined by Bader (1992).
Strigodius robinsoni
Strigodius robinsoni is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It was described by Cartwright in 1939. The species is known from the eastern United States, with records from Alabama, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia. Like other members of the genus Strigodius, it is presumably associated with decaying organic matter and dung.
Tesarius
Tesarius is a genus of aphodiine dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, established by Rakovič in 1981. The genus contains five described species distributed in the Nearctic and Australian regions. As members of the subfamily Aphodiinae, these beetles are associated with dung and decomposing organic matter. The genus includes species originally described by LeConte, Lea, and Cartwright spanning from 1857 to 1977.
Tesarius mcclayi
Tesarius mcclayi is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from California, USA. The species has been introduced to Great Britain, where it has established a presence. As a member of the subfamily Aphodiinae, it belongs to a group commonly known as small dung beetles or lesser dung beetles.
Tesarius oregonensis
Tesarius oregonensis is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It was described by Cartwright in 1955. The species is found in western North America, ranging from British Columbia, Canada southward through Oregon to California. As a member of the subfamily Aphodiinae, it is associated with dung and decaying organic matter. Very little specific information has been published regarding its biology or ecology.
Tetraclipeoides acutissimus
Tetraclipeoides acutissimus is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, described by Gordon in 1976. It belongs to a genus of aphodiine dung beetles. Records indicate it occurs in the southwestern United States. As with many aphodiines, it is likely associated with decomposing organic matter, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Tetraclipeoides anomaliceps
Tetraclipeoides anomaliceps is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It was described by Brown in 1929. The species is known from scattered records across the south-central and southwestern United States. As a member of the dung beetle tribe Aphodiini, it is presumed to be associated with decomposing organic matter, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented. The genus Tetraclipeoides is small and taxonomically obscure, with limited study beyond original descriptions.
Tetraclipeoides denticulatus
Tetraclipeoides denticulatus is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, described by Haldeman in 1848. It is distributed across the western and central United States and western Canada. The species has been historically confused with bark and ambrosia beetles, as evidenced by its misidentification as "Gnathotrichus denticulatus" in major entomological collections. It belongs to a genus of dung beetles within the diverse Scarabaeidae family.
Tetraclipeoides dentiger
Tetraclipeoides dentiger is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It is found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Like other members of Aphodiinae, it is likely associated with dung or decomposing organic matter, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Tetraclipeoides testaceiventris
Tetraclipeoides testaceiventris is a small scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, described by Fall in 1932. It belongs to a genus of aphodiine dung beetles found in North America. The species is known from scattered records across the Great Plains and south-central United States.
Tetraclipeoides texanus
Tetraclipeoides texanus is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae, described by Gordon and Skelley in 2007. The species epithet 'texanus' indicates its association with Texas. As a member of the Aphodiinae, it belongs to a group commonly known as small dung beetles or aphodiine dung beetles, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Teuchestes
Teuchestes is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, established by Mulsant in 1842. The genus comprises approximately 10 described species distributed across the Palaearctic, Afrotropical, and Oriental regions. Taxonomic placement has been debated, with some sources treating Teuchestes as a subgenus of Aphodius. Species in this genus are dung beetles associated with decomposing organic matter.
Thyce
May beetles, junebugs
Thyce is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as May beetles or junebugs. The genus contains at least two described species: Thyce deserta and Thyce squamicollis. These beetles belong to the subfamily Melolonthinae, a diverse group of scarabs whose larvae typically develop in soil. Species in this genus are native to North America.
Tiphia vernalis
Spring Tiphia
Tiphia vernalis is a parasitoid wasp in the family Tiphiidae, introduced to North America from Korea in the 1920s as a biological control agent for Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) populations. The species has established populations across the eastern United States, where it parasitizes scarabaeid beetle larvae in soil environments. Females locate host grubs below ground using kairomones from the grubs and their frass, then paralyze and parasitize them externally.
Tomarus
Tomarus is a genus of rhinoceros beetles in the subfamily Dynastinae. The genus is native to the Americas, ranging from the central United States to Argentina, with some species in the Caribbean. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights. The genus has been subject to taxonomic revision, with some species now placed in the restored genus Ligyrus.
Trichiorhyssemus
Trichiorhyssemus is a genus of aphodiine dung beetles established by Clouët in 1901. The genus contains more than 20 described species distributed across the Palearctic, Oriental, and Afrotropical regions. Species within this genus are small dung beetles, with at least one species (T. immaturus) showing morphological characters intermediate between Trichiorhyssemus and the related genus Neotrichiorhyssemus.
Trichiorhyssemus riparius
Trichiorhyssemus riparius is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Horn in 1871. It belongs to the tribe Psammodiini, a group commonly associated with sandy habitats. The species is known from the southwestern United States.
Trichiotinus rufobrunneus
Florida flower scarab
Trichiotinus rufobrunneus is a species of flower scarab beetle endemic to Florida, commonly known as the Florida flower scarab. It belongs to the genus Trichiotinus, a North American endemic group of trichiine scarabs. The species is associated with the flowers of Opuntia australis (Florida pricklypear cactus), an endemic plant, and has been observed mating within these flowers. Its distribution is limited to Florida, making it a species of conservation concern due to habitat loss from urban development and agriculture.