The 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.
Some species feed on dung of only one species of animal, while others are less choosy.
Most eat dung, but some scavenge carcasses or feed in decaying vegetation or fungi. Both adults and larvae feed on the food source. Some species shape a brood ball which they roll away to bury, while others simply dig burrows under or near the food and pack it into them. Deltochilum gibbosum occurs throughout the southeastern U.S. and is one of the largest species in North Carolina. It reportedly is partial to carrion but also utilizes dung.