The family Geotrupidae comprises medium-sized to large ground beetles, known primarily for their lifestyle, which involves digging underground burrows and processing organic matter. Geotrupidae have a robust, strongly arched body, often with a metallic sheen in shades of black, blue or green. A key characteristic of these beetles is their unusual behaviour relating to the care of their offspring – adults actively dig deep burrows in the soil (up to one metre deep) and stock them with food for the developing larvae. Whilst some members of the family feed on the dung of cattle, horses or sheep (and are therefore coprophagous), most species feed on decaying plant material, rotting leaves, mould or detritus (and are therefore saprophagous). Many species are ecologically significant organisms, as they accelerate the decomposition of organic matter, aerate the soil and thus contribute to the recycling of nutrients. The family is found almost worldwide, but its greatest diversity is found in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere.

Number of Species:

Family Card

Typhaeus typhoeus

 

Anoplotrupes stercorosus

 

Geotrupes mutator

 

Geotrupes spiniger

 

Geotrupes stercorarius

 

Trypocopris vernalis

 

Lethrus apterus