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NOTE: As of 2014, the California Beetle Project page is no longer updated. The original database and list of California beetles in the menu on the left will remain for the time being, but the information contained within is not necessarily current. SBMNH Entomology Curator Matthew L. Gimmel has divided up the function of the original database into two conceptual halves:

  1. The SBMNH Entomology specimen-level database, including all SBMNH beetle specimens included in the CBP database, which is now available (and ever-growing) through the ecdysis portal at https://serv.biokic.asu.edu/ecdysis/

  2. A literature- (and available specimen-)based checklist.
  3. of the Coleoptera of California, which is being revised and re-compiled by Dr. Gimmel, and, as of January 2017, is about 85% complete.




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Last updated 01/16/2009

 California Beetle Project > Species Pages > Sphaeridium scarabaeoides

Classification

Scientific name: Sphaeridium scarabaeoides (Linnaeus)
    Order Coleoptera
    Superfamily Hydrophiloidea
    Family Hydrophilidae

Images (click to enlarge)

What it looks like: 4.0-7.1 mm in length. Its body is robust and oval-shaped. It is a dark brown, almost black, color with two large reddish-brown spots on the elytra. The tips of the elytra are light brown. The antennae are very short and clubbed while the legs are long and light brown.

Where you'll find it: This species was first described by Linnaeus in Europe around the mid-18th century. It was accidentally introduced into North America from Europe very early on. By the late 19th century it was established in Montreal, Canada. In 1913 it was found in Washington state and in 1975 it was recorded in Mexico City. Its range currently covers all of Europe and North America.

Natural History: This beetle is generally found in fresh dung, particularly that of cows and horses.

This page was written by Maren Farnum, a 2005 California Beetle Project intern.




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