Common name: Rolling Dung Beetle

Scientific name: Scarabaeus cristatus

Family: Scarabaeidae

Size:

Body length: 22–33 mm

Identification:

A large black dung beetle with a broad, rounded body; the subspecies in the UAE is S. cristatus cristatus. The pronotum is glossy and finely pitted, while the wing cases are dull, almost velvety black. The front edge of the head forms a shovel with six sharp teeth, the front legs carry four strong outer teeth, and an orange-brown fringe of hair lines the pronotum and legs.

Habitat:

Deserts, especially sandy ground where dung is scarce. Also gathers where dung is plentiful, such as camel farms and horse tracks.

Status in the UAE:

Recorded at Al Ain, Jebel Hafit, Abu Dhabi, near ad-Dhaid, near Margham (Dubai), near Mahafiz, Sharjah Desert Park and near Sweihan. A widespread species from North Africa to Pakistan.

Diet:

Adults and larvae feed on animal dung; in tests it preferred moist horse dung to camel dung.

Behavior:

A dung roller that flies in search of food and rolls dung balls. Comes to lights. Recorded in the UAE from April to December; in Dubai, new adults appear mainly in June and again in September.

Conservation status:

UAE National Red List: Not listed

Global: Not Evaluated