Scarab beetles, belonging to the family Scarabaeidae, are stout-bodied beetles ranging in size from about 1.5 mm to 160 mm, with many species exhibiting bright metallic colors.
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Prioninae of the World I.
Cerambycidae of the Western Paleartic I.
They are characterized by distinctive clubbed antennae composed of lamellae plates that can be fanned out or compressed to detect odors. Many scarabs have legs adapted for digging, and males of some species bear prominent horns used in combat for mates or resources.
These beetles have a C-shaped larval stage known as grubs, which are pale yellow or white and typically live underground or under debris. Adults are mostly nocturnal, though some subfamilies like flower chafers are active during the day. Scarabs play important ecological roles as scavengers recycling dung, carrion, and decaying plant material, while others feed on living plants, sometimes causing significant agricultural damage. Well-known scarab beetles include dung beetles, June beetles, Japanese beetles, rhinoceros beetles, and Goliath beetles.
Scarab beetles vary widely in habitat and diet, with some species feeding on manure, decaying vegetation, roots, leaves, or fungi. Their robust bodies and often colorful, polished shells make them popular among insect collectors. The family includes important agricultural pests but also species revered historically, such as the sacred dung beetle Scarabaeus sacer in ancient Egypt