Rainbow scarab beetle — printable fact sheet

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Rainbow scarab beetle

Phanaeus vindex

The Rainbow scarab beetle is a brilliantly colored dung beetle native to North America, known for its metallic green, gold, and copper hues. This beetle plays a vital ecological role by burying and consuming animal dung, which helps recycle nutrients into the soil. Males possess…

Classification

Invertebrate

Family

Scarabaeidae

Habitat

Grasslands and open woodlands

Diet

Detritivore

Conservation status

Least Concern

Lifespan

6 months to 1 year

Weight

0.2 to 0.4 grams

Scientific name

Phanaeus vindex

Did you know?

Despite their small size, a single pair of rainbow scarab beetles can bury more than their own body weight in dung in just a few hours.
Rainbow scarab beetles can navigate using the Milky Way on clear nights. The males' bright coloration and large horn are used to attract females and ward off rivals. These beetles are considered nature’s recyclers thanks to their dung-burying habits.

What I learned

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