This male was 54mm, rather small but was equipped with well shaped mandibles. Insect of the Week he dung beetles include several subfamilies of the large family Scarabaeidae, the scarab beetles. There are thousands of species of dung beetles, occurring worldwide wherever dung is found. Adults range from 2 to over 50 mm in length. Most species are dark colored, but a few have bright patterns or even metallic colors.
Many species have distinctive horns or other processes.
Insects in the Natural Recycling of Nutrients One of the most important but overlooked roles of insects is their involvement in the recycling of nutrients in natural systems. Many insects are macrodecomposers, which help break down organic matter they scavenge. For example the manure of cattle and other animals would not break down without the role of such insects as dung beetles. Top of Page Cucumber Beetles Cucumber Beetles Cucumber beetles are oblong-oval in shape and have beaded antennae about 2 mm long. Six mm long, the spotted cucumber beetle has a bright yellowish-green body with black head, legs, and antennae.