Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Until recently treated as a subfamily of
ScarabaeidaeNumbers
55 spp. in 11 genera in the Nearctic
(1)(2)
Family GEOTRUPIDAE
Subfamily BOLBOCERATINAE
Odonteus - 10 species, generally distributed, most in the east
Eucanthus - 5 species, generally distributed, most in the east
Bradycinetulus - 3 species, eastern/central US
Bolbocerastes - 3 species, western US
Bolbocerosoma - 10 species, eastern/central US
Bolbelasmus - x species, western US
Bolborhombus - x species, western US
Subfamily GEOTRUPINAE
Geotrupes - 9 species, US, except far western states
Mycotrupes - 5 species, SE US
Peltotrupes - 2 species, Florida endemics
Ceratophyus - 1 species, C. gopherinus, California endemic
Identification
Eleven-segmented antennae, unlike the Scarabs which have fewer segments.
Bodies are stout and often hemispherical.
Two subfamilies:
Geotrupinae (left): Antennal club small, body largely black with or without metallic sheen
Bolboceratinae (right): Antennal club large, body brown, some with black markings
Habitat
These beetles spend most of their lives in burrows one to four feet down, often under dung or carrion.
Food
Larvae feed on dung or carrion. Adults feed on dung or fungi, or do not feed at all.
Print References
Howden H.F. (1955) The biology and taxonomy of the North American beetles of the subfamily Geotrupinae with revisions of the genera
Bolbocerosoma, Eucanthus, Geotrupes, and
Peltotrupes (Scarabaeidae). Proceedings of the United States National Museum 104: 151-319.
(3)Internet References
Generic Guide to New World Scarab Beetles--
Geotrupidae
