How do they look?

This family includes beetles such as rove beetles, ground beetles, stag beetles, and others. The name is derived from their unique antennal structure, which ends in a plate-like club. The body is compact, short oval, with various shapes, including oval, subquadrate, or cylindrical. Many species exhibit vibrant sexual dimorphism, with males often displaying brighter colors and various protuberances, primarily on the head and/or thorax. Coloration varies from dull to vibrant hues. The larvae are typically large, mainly white or light yellow, with a dark brown or black head.

Where do they live?

Scarab beetles of this family inhabit various places: the rove beetle can be found in forests, the common dung beetle lives in meadows. Rove beetles are found in compost, peat, and sawdust piles, while dung beetles inhabit dung and manure.

What do they eat?

The diet also depends on the species. May beetles feed on various tree leaves, June beetles consume deciduous tree leaves and pine needles. Rove beetles feed on animal dung, decomposing fungi, and various plant parts, serving as important forest sanitarians. The feeding habits of rove beetle larvae are not sufficiently studied, and it is believed that they may not feed at all.

Interesting and important facts

Scarab beetles are one of the most diverse and fascinating beetle families (with 90 species in Latvia). The larvae can cause significant damage to fruit and root orchards (May beetles) and young forest plantations (May and June beetles).

Information sources: Wikipedia, Kreslina L. ‘Insects in Latvia’

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