Dung beetles are beetles that feed on feces. Some species of dung beetles can bury dung 250 times their own mass in one night.
The scarab beetle subfamily Scarabaeinae consists of species collectively called true dung beetles. Most of the beetles of this subfamily feed exclusively on dung. However, some may feed on decomposing matter including carrion, decaying fruits and fungi. Dung beetles can be placed into three structural guilds based on their method of dung processing namely rollers (telecoprids), dwellers (endocoprids) and tunnelers (paracoprids). Dung removal and burial by dung beetles result in ecological benefits such as soil aeration and fertilization; improved nutrient cycling and uptake by plants, increase in Pasture quality, biological control of pest flies and intestinal parasites and secondary seed dispersal. Well-known members include the genera Scarabaeus and Sisyphus, and Phanaeus vindex.
Amphionthophagus is a subgenus of scarab beetles in the genus Onthophagus of the family Scarabaeidae. There are at least three described species in Amphionthophagus. They are found in the Palearctic.
Colobonthophagus is a subgenus of scarab beetles in the genus Onthophagus of the family Scarabaeidae. There are more than 30 described species in Colobonthophagus. They are found in the Palaearctic and Indomalaya.
Diastellopalpus is a genus of Scarabaeidae or scarab beetles in the superfamily Scarabaeoidea. It was considered a subgenus of Onthophagus by some authorities.
Digitonthophagus is a genus of Scarabaeidae or scarab beetles in the superfamily Scarabaeoidea. It was considered a subgenus of Onthophagus by some authorities. A review of the taxon was published in 2017.
Euoniticellus is a genus of dung beetles in the subfamily Scarabaeinae of the scarab beetle family.
Euonthophagus is a genus of Scarabaeidae or scarab beetles in the superfamily Scarabaeoidea. It was considered a subgenus of Onthophagus by some authorities.
Altonthophagus is a subgenus of scarab beetles in the genus Onthophagus of the family Scarabaeidae. There are about 12 described species in Altonthophagus. They are found in the Palearctic and Indomalaya.
Furconthophagus is a subgenus of scarab beetles in the genus Onthophagus of the family Scarabaeidae. There are more than 20 described species in Furconthophagus. They are found mainly in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Gibbonthophagus is a subgenus of scarab beetles in the genus Onthophagus of the family Scarabaeidae. There are more than 40 described species in Gibbonthophagus. They are found mainly in Asia.
Oniticellus is a genus of dung beetles in the subfamily Scarabaeinae of the scarab beetle family.
Onthophagus is a genus of dung beetles in the Onthophagini tribe of the wider scarab beetle family, Scarabaeidae. It is the most species-rich and widespread genus in the subfamily Scarabaeinae, with a global distribution.
Onthophagiellus is a subgenus of scarab beetles in the genus Onthophagus of the family Scarabaeidae. There are more than 20 described species in Onthophagiellus. They are found primarily in Asia and Africa.
Onthophagus vacca is a species of dung beetles in the Onthophagini tribe of the wider scarab beetle family, Scarabaeidae.
Proagoderus is a genus of Scarabaeidae or scarab beetles in the subfamily Scarabaeinae. It was considered a subgenus of Onthophagus by some authorities. It includes over 100 species native to Africa and Asia.
Onthophagus unifasciatus, is a species of true dung beetle native to India and Sri Lanka.
Digitonthophagus bonasus, is a species of dung beetle found in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Afghanistan, Vietnam and Cambodia.
Liatongus rhadamistus, or Scaptodera rhadamistus, is a species of dung beetle found in India, Sri Lanka, Laos and Thailand.
Onthophagus centricornis, is a species of dung beetle found in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Thailand.
