The family Scarabaeidae, is a group of beetles belonging to the order Coleoptera. These beetles are distributed worldwide and are found in a variety of environments from tropical rainforests to deserts. More than 30,000 species of Scarabaeidae are known worldwide, making it one of the most numerous groups among beetles.
The Scarabaeidae are characterized by a diversity of shapes, sizes and colors. Their size can range from as small as 2 millimetres to a massive 16 centimetres in some species of rhinoceros beetles. These beetles typically have a robust body with a solid exoskeleton that serves as protection from predators. On the head, they have two pairs of antennae and a powerful mouth-piece.
Among the best-known representatives of the family Scarabaeidae are the rhinoceros beetles (subfamily Dynastinae), which are famous for their characteristic horn-like growth on the head or chest.
The Scarabaeidae are ecologically important because many species serve as decomposers of organic material. Dung beetles in particular are famous for balling up animal droppings and carrying them to their burrows. In this way they help recycle nutrients and maintain soil fertility.
Some dung beetles have also become culturally important. For example, the sacred scarab beetle (Scarabaeus sacer), found in the Mediterranean region, was revered in ancient Egypt as a symbol of regeneration and resurrection.
Today, some beetle species face threats related to human activities, such as the destruction of natural habitats or the use of pesticides in agriculture. For this reason, it is important to carry out research and monitoring of these beetle populations in order to take adequate conservation measures to ensure their survival in the future.