The family Scarabaeidae, as currently defined, consists of over 30,000 species of beetles worldwide; they are often called scarabs or scarab beetles. The classification of this family has undergone significant change in recent years. Several subfamilies have been elevated to family rank, and some reduced to lower ranks. The subfamilies listed in this article are in accordance with those in Bouchard (2011).
Trogidae, sometimes called hide beetles, is a family of beetles with a distinctive warty or bumpy appearance. Found worldwide, the family includes about 300 species contained in four or five genera.
The Hercules beetle is a species of rhinoceros beetle native to the rainforests of Central America, South America, and the Lesser Antilles. It is the longest extant species of beetle in the world, and is also one of the largest flying insects in the world.
Dynastinae or rhinoceros beetles are a subfamily of the scarab beetle family (Scarabaeidae). Other common names – some for particular groups of rhinoceros beetles – include Hercules beetles, unicorn beetles or horn beetles. Over 1500 species and 225 genera of rhinoceros beetles are known.
Flower chafers are a group of scarab beetles, comprising the subfamily Cetoniinae. Many species are diurnal and visit flowers for pollen and nectar, or to browse on the petals. Some species also feed on fruit. The group is also called fruit and flower chafers, flower beetles and flower scarabs. There are around 4,000 species, many of them still undescribed.
Copris is a genus of dung beetles in the tribe Coprini of the scarab family. It comprises more than 250 tunnelling species and has an almost worldwide distribution.
Scarabaeus sacer, common name sacred scarab, is the type species of dung beetles in its genus and the family Scarabaeidae.
Melolonthinae is a subfamily of the scarab beetles. It is a very diverse group; distributed over most of the world, it contains over 11,000 species in over 750 genera. Some authors include the scarab subfamilies Euchirinae and Pachypodinae as tribes in the Melolonthinae.
Aclopinae is a subfamily of Scarabaeidae or scarab beetles in the superfamily Scarabaeoidea.
Catharsius is a genus of dung beetles in the tribe Coprini in the scarab family.
Cephalodesmius is a genus of Scarabaeidae or scarab beetles.
Dynamopodinae is a very small subfamily of Scarabaeidae or scarab beetles, with only seven species in a single genus, Orubesa.
Eucanthidium is a genus of Scarabaeidae in the superfamily Scarabaeoidea.
Garreta is a genus of dung beetles in the scarab beetle family (Scarabaeidae). There are more than 20 described species; most are African and some are from Asia. They are generally found in fairly moist habitats.
Canthon, the tumblebugs, is a genus of Scarabaeidae or scarab beetles in the superfamily Scarabaeoidea.
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.
Xylotrupes gideon, the brown rhinoceros beetle, is a species of large scarab beetle belonging to the subfamily Dynastinae.
Sulcophanaeus is a genus of beetles belonging to the family Scarabaeidae. This genus has a Neotropical distribution.
Cheirotonus is a genus of long-armed scarabs with about 10 species with a distribution extending west along the Himalayas to Japan in the east. They live inside tree holes in montane forest and are attracted to lights. Males and females show differences in size and structure of the legs with males having elongated foretibiae. The pronotum is shiny green and the elytra are usually dark with orange patterning.
Phyllopertha is a genus of shining leaf chafers in the beetle family Scarabaeidae. There are more than 20 described species in Phyllopertha, found primarily in the Palearctic.
