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Taxonomy
Scarabaeidae
EOL Text
Scarabaeidae (scarabs) is prey of:
Solpugidae
Scorpiones
Araneae
Typhlosaurus
Aves
Based on studies in:
Namibia, Namib Desert (Desert or dune)
This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.
- E. Holm and C. H. Scholtz, Structure and pattern of the Namib Desert dune ecosystem at Gobabeb, Madoqua 12(1):3-39, from p. 21 (1980).
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Cynthia Sims Parr, Joel Sachs, SPIRE |
Source | http://spire.umbc.edu/fwc/ |
Scarabaeidae (scarabs) preys on:
animal dung
Mammalia
Based on studies in:
Namibia, Namib Desert (Desert or dune)
Costa Rica (Carrion substrate)
This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.
- E. Holm and C. H. Scholtz, Structure and pattern of the Namib Desert dune ecosystem at Gobabeb, Madoqua 12(1):3-39, from p. 21 (1980).
- L. F. Jiron and V. M. Cartin, 1981. Insect succession in the decomposition of a mammal in Costa Rica. J. New York Entomol. Soc. 89:158-165, from p. 163.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Cynthia Sims Parr, Joel Sachs, SPIRE |
Source | http://spire.umbc.edu/fwc/ |
Chitin layers produce gold and silver colors: jewel scarab
The forewings of jewel scarabs produce gold and silver by having 70 layers of chitin that become progressively thinner with depth resulting in different refractive indices.
"A team of researchers at the University of Costa Rica has found that the beetles' metallic appearance is created by the unique structural arrangements of many dozens of layers of exo-skeletal chitin in the elytron, a hardened forewing that protects the delicate hindwings that are folded underneath... In these beetles, the cuticle, which is just 10 millionths of a meter deep, has some 70 separate layers of chitin—a nitrogen-containing complex sugar that creates the hard outer skeletons of insects, crabs, shrimps, and lobsters. The chitin layers become progressively thinner with depth, forming a so-called 'chirped' structure. 'Because the layers have different refractive indices,' Vargas says, 'light propagates through them at different speeds. The light is refracted through—and reflected by—each interface giving, in particular, phase differences in the emerging reflected rays. For several wavelengths in the visible range, there are many reflected rays whose phase differences allow for constructive interference. This leads to the metallic appearance of the beetles.' This is similar to the way in which a prism breaks white light into the colors of the rainbow by refraction, but in the case of these beetles, different wavelengths, or colors of light are reflected back more strongly by different layers of chitin. This creates the initial palette of colors that enable the beetles to produce their distinctive hues." (Stark 2011:1)
Learn more about this functional adaptation.
- Stark A. 2011. Beetle bling: Researchers discover optical secrets of 'metallic' beetles. EurekAlert [Internet], Accessed 25-Apr-2011.
- Campos-Fernández C; Azofeifa DE; Hernández-Jiménez M; Ruiz-Ruiz A; Vargas WE. 2011. Visible light reflection spectra from cuticle layered materials. Optical Material Express. 1(1): 85-100.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | (c) 2008-2009 The Biomimicry Institute |
Source | http://www.asknature.org/strategy/1d512c323bcf952307c43afcaa09058b |
Vision enables stealth communication: jewel scarab beetle
The vision of jewel scarab beetles allows them to find each other while evading enemies thanks to the detection of circularly polarized light.
"According to researchers from the University of Texas, the jewel scarab species Chrysina gloriosa can distinguish between circularly polarized and unpolarized light. That ability could provide the beetles with a tremendous advantage, the researchers say, because most of the light reflected off these beetles' colorful bodies happens to be circularly polarized.
"'The trait would allow the beetles to easily see each other while simultaneously hiding from predators that cannot see circular polarized light,' said physicist Parrish Brady, who conducted the research with Molly Cummings…
"Because ability to see CP light is very rare in nature, it's not likely that any of the beetles' predators can see it. So the ability to both see and reflect CP light probably evolved to allow jewel scarabs to communicate with each other while staying hidden from predators…" (Science Daily 2010)
Learn more about this functional adaptation.
- Brady P; Cummings M. 2010. Differential response to circularly polarized light by the jewel scarab beetle Chrysina gloriosa. The American Naturalist. 175(5): 614–620.
- 2010. Beetles stand out using 'Avatar' tech. Science Daily [Internet],
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | (c) 2008-2009 The Biomimicry Institute |
Source | http://www.asknature.org/strategy/24fb1f1f021aaa4cb107a8cbf5234871 |
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) Stats
Specimen Records: | 15,001 | Public Records: | 1,388 |
Specimens with Sequences: | 9,509 | Public Species: | 487 |
Specimens with Barcodes: | 6,573 | Public BINs: | 173 |
Species: | 2,285 | ||
Species With Barcodes: | 1,305 | ||
Collection Sites: world map showing specimen collection locations for Scarabaeidae
The Trichiinae are a subfamily of the scarab beetle family (Scarabaeidae), but occasionally they are included in the Cetoniidae as tribe Trichiini. The conspicuous bee beetles (Trichius) are probably the best-known genus in Europe.
They vary in size from 6 to 65 mm [1] and can be distinguished from the Cetoniidae by having covered epimeres, and lateral edges of the elytra which are not trimmed.
The adults feed on sugar-rich secretions of stems, leaves, fruits and flowers of different plants. Most larvae develop in rotten wood.
Selected taxa
- Dialithus Parry, 1849
- Epitrichius
- Giesbertiolus Howden, 1988
- Gnorimella
- Gnorimus Le Peletier & Serville, 1828
- Inca
- Lasiotrichius
- Osmoderma
- Paratrichius
- Platygeniops Krikken, 1978
- Trichiotinus
- Trichiotinus piger – Hairy Flower Chafer, Bee-like Flower Scarab
- Trichius – bee beetles
- Trigonopeltastes
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Wikipedia |
Source | http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Trichiinae&oldid=540961167 |
The family Scarabaeidae as currently defined consists of over 30,000 species of beetles worldwide. The species in this large family are often called scarabs or scarab beetles. The classification of this family is fairly unstable, with numerous competing theories, and new proposals appearing quite often. It is probable that many of the subfamilies listed here will not be recognized very much longer, as they will likely be reduced in status below subfamily rank, or elevated to family status (the latter is most likely, e.g., with the family "Melolonthidae" already appearing in some recent classifications). Other families have been removed recently, and are nearly universally accepted (e.g., Pleocomidae, Glaresidae, Glaphyridae, Ochodaeidae, Geotrupidae, and Bolboceratidae).
Scarabs[edit]
Scarabs are stout-bodied beetles, many with bright metallic colours, measuring between 1.5 and 160 mm. They have distinctive, clubbed antennae composed of plates called lamellae that can be compressed into a ball or fanned out like leaves to sense odours. The front legs of many species are broad and adapted for digging.
The C-shaped larvae, called grubs, are pale yellow or white. Most adult beetles are nocturnal, although the flower chafers (Cetoniinae) and many leaf chafers (Rutelinae) are active during the day. The grubs mostly live underground or under debris, so are not exposed to sunlight. Many scarabs are scavengers that recycle dung, carrion, or decaying plant material. Others, such as the Japanese beetle are devastating agricultural pests.
Some of the well-known beetles from the Scarabaeidae are Japanese beetles, dung beetles, June beetles, rose chafers (Australian, European and North American), rhinoceros beetles, Hercules beetles and Goliath beetles.
Several members of this family have structurally coloured shells which act as left-handed circular polarisers; this was the first-discovered example of circular polarization in nature.[1]
Ancient Egypt[edit]
In Ancient Egypt, the dung beetle now known as Scarabaeus sacer (formerly Ateuchus sacer) was revered as sacred.
In his 1859 book On the Origin of Species, Charles Darwin described the genus Ateuchus as the "sacred beetle of the Egyptians."[2]
See also[edit]
- Scarab artifact
- Grapevine beetle
- Dung beetle - Scarabaeidae dung beetles play important role in temperate and tropical environments
References[edit]
- ^ A. A. Michelson (1911). "On metallic colourings in birds and insects". Philosophical Magazine 21: 554–567. doi:10.1080/14786440408637061.
- ^ Darwin, Charles (1859). On the Origin of Species. John Murray. p. 103.
Further reading[edit]
- RU Ehlers. Current and Future Use of Nematodes in Biocontrol: Practice and Commercial Aspects with Regard to Regulatory Policy Issues. Biocontrol Science and Technology Volume 6, Issue 3, 1996.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Wikipedia |
Source | http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Scarabaeidae&oldid=609456056 |
Bladsprietkevers zijn opvallende planteneters die overdag rondscharrelen. De larven leven in de grond en eten plantenwortels. Ze zijn bekend als engerlingen. De meikever is de bekendste bladsprietkever. Een paar andere bladsprietkeversoorten zijn kenmerkend voor de duinen. Het rozekevertje komt veel voor op duinroosjes. Soms vreten ze die helemaal kaal. Dat gebeurt in juni. De grote julikever is een zeldzame soort die in dennenbossen in het kustgebied voorkomt.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Ecomare |
Source | http://www.ecomare.nl/index.php?id=3729&L=2 |