Scarab beetle insect. Description, features, lifestyle and habitat of the scarab

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The vast plains of Africa, which are home to many fairly large herbivores, are also home to the scarab beetle . Probably Africa, and the whole planet, has not yet been mired in huge piles of dung thanks to dung beetles, among which scarab beetles have the most honorable place.

Origin of the species and description

Photo: Scarab beetle

Entomologists classify the scarab beetle as belonging to the genus Scarabaeidae, the class Insectae, the order Coleoptera, and the family Lamelidae. This family is characterized by a special shape of the mustache, which can periodically open in the form of a fan consisting of thin movable plates.

Video: Scarab beetle

Currently, science knows more than a hundred representatives of this genus, which usually live in dry steppes, deserts, semi-deserts, and savannas. Most species of scarabs can only be found in the tropical zone of the African continent. The region called the Palaearctic, spanning northern Africa, Europe and northern Asia, is home to approximately 20 species.

The body length of scarab beetles can vary between 9-40 mm. Most of them have a matte black color of the chitinous layer, which becomes more shiny as they mature. Sometimes you can find insects with chitin of a silver-metallic color, but this is very rare. Males differ from females not in color and size, but in their hind legs, which are covered on the inside with golden fringe.

All scarab beetles are very characterized by vegetation on the legs and abdomen, as well as the presence of four teeth on the front pair of legs, which are involved in digging and forming balls of dung.

How to activate the talisman?

Initially, it is necessary to clean the talisman using any known method. Subsequent activation of the amulet is carried out only by the owner. To do this, place the scarab under the rays of the rising sun. The amulet will absorb solar energy and will serve its owner well for a long time.

See all earrings in the “Insects” theme (go to the SUNLIGHT catalog)

Appearance and features

Photo: What a scarab beetle looks like

The body of the scarab beetle has the appearance of a wide, slightly convex oval, completely covered with an exoskeleton. The exoskeleton is a very hard and durable chitinous cover, usually acting as so-called armor that protects the beetle’s body from injuries associated with its type of activity. The head of the scarab beetle is short and wide with six teeth at the front.

The pronotum of the insect is also wide and short, flat, quite simple in shape, has a granular structure and a large number of small lateral teeth. The insect's hard chitinous elytra are more than twice as long as the pronotum, have six longitudinal shallow grooves, and the same uneven granular structure.

The posterior section of the abdomen is bordered by small teeth and covered with sparse vegetation in the form of dark hairs. The same hairs are present on all three pairs of legs. The front legs serve the beetles for digging soil and manure. Compared to other paws, they look coarser, more powerful, massive and are equipped with four outer teeth, some of which have many very small teeth at their base. The middle and hind legs appear longer, thinner, curved and help the insects form balls of dung and also carry them to their destination.

Interesting fact: Dung balls formed by scarab beetles can be tens of times larger than the size of insects.

What is included in the diet

In ancient times, the Egyptians believed that the scarab was a cannibal. The beetle crawls under the skin and begins to eat a person from the inside, destroying all organs. Naturally, this is a myth.

Beetles do not feed on flesh. Insects are completely safe for humans and animals. The representatives are classified as orderlies. In an hour, 4 thousand dung beetles destroy a pile of manure. Scarabs are voracious.

The beetles begin to crawl out as soon as the air warms up. At first, insects lead a diurnal lifestyle, and then crawl to the surface only at night. In order to live for 14 days, the scarab requires one large ball of dung.

The insect rolls the food ball into a pre-dug hole. After the pair appears, the beetles make the preparation together.

Beetles prepare dung balls

Food is prepared as follows: a small piece of cattle feces serves as the base; With the edge of its head, the insect cuts off the required amount of feces; The beetle forms balls with its front and hind legs; With its middle legs, the insect firmly holds the feces until the ball is formed.

The balls are stored in a shelter in a dark and cool place. When transporting food, the insect makes sure that other representatives do not take the prey.

Sometimes the ball can be taken away by larger relatives. Therefore, when transporting the beetle, it must be extremely careful. Not only further nutrition, but also procreation depends on the preparations. Like other dung beetles, the insect lays larvae in a round piece of dung. The larvae feed on manure prepared by the female until they mature.

Where does the scarab beetle live?

Photo: Scarab beetle in Egypt

It is traditionally believed that scarab beetles live in Egypt, where they have long been revered and almost worshiped, but the habitat of the insects is much wider. The scarab is found almost throughout Africa, in Europe (western and southern parts of the continent, southern Russia, Dagestan, Georgia, France, Greece, Turkey), in Asia and even on the Crimean Peninsula.

In general, it turns out that scarab beetles prefer a warm or hot climate with short and mild winters, which is typical for the above regions, as well as the coasts of the Black and Mediterranean Seas. Beetles prefer to live on sandy soils in savannas, dry steppes, deserts and semi-deserts, while they try to avoid saline areas.

It is interesting that beetles live on the Crimean peninsula, but probably, due to the salinity of large areas of the region, they are much smaller in size than their Egyptian relatives.

Interesting fact: More than 20 years ago, entomologists tried to detect traces of scarabs in Australia, but these attempts were unsuccessful. Apparently on this continent Mother Nature never had a need for orderlies. And no wonder, Australia has always been famous not for the abundance of wildlife, but for its unusualness, especially since its entire central part is a dry desert sparsely populated by animals.

Now you know where the scarab beetle is found. Let's see what he eats.

Where does he live?

You can meet the scarab in:

• Europe;
• Asia.

Beetles live in the African desert.
The insect has taken root in the Eastern Hemisphere. The largest number of individuals live in Africa. The scarab is periodically transported to various countries, which accidentally ended up in manure. However, the scarab does not take root in this case. The insect dies almost instantly.

What does the scarab beetle eat?

Photo: Scarab beetle in nature

Scarab beetles feed on fresh mammalian dung, which is why they have fully earned the status of natural orderlies or recyclers. As a result of observations, it was noticed that 3-4 thousand beetles can fly to one small pile of manure. The manure should be fresh, because this makes it easier to form balls from it. Beetles make dung balls in a rather interesting way: with the help of teeth on the head and front legs, which rake like a shovel. When forming a ball, a small piece of round-shaped manure is taken as a basis. Having settled on top of this piece, the beetle often turns in different directions, separates the manure surrounding it with the jagged edge of its head, and at the same time, its front paws pick up this manure, bring it to the ball and press it into it from different sides until it acquires the desired shape and size .

Insects hide the formed balls in shaded nooks and, in search of a suitable place, are able to roll them several tens of meters, and the further the beetle moves away from the heap, the faster it needs to roll its prey. If the scarab suddenly becomes distracted, even for a short time, the ball can be brazenly taken away by its more nimble relatives. It often happens that a fierce fight takes place over dung balls, and there are always more contenders for them than there are owners.

Having found a suitable place, the beetle digs a fairly deep hole under the ball, rolls it there, buries it and lives next to its prey until it completely eats it. As a rule, this takes a couple of weeks, or even more. When the food runs out, the beetle goes back in search of food and everything starts all over again.

Interesting fact: It has been scientifically proven that the carnivorous species of scarab beetles does not exist in nature.

Why do you dream about a scarab?

Dreams often prompt a person to solve a problem or warn of danger. Of course, a sacred insect in a dream carries a certain meaning that is important to interpret correctly. To understand why the scarab beetle dreams, you should remember all the details of the dream and refer to several dream books:

— Miller’s Dream Book: the scarab makes it clear that success can only be achieved if you devote yourself to the task with your head and make efforts to complete the task;

— Gypsy dream book: an insect promises good luck and approves of the path chosen by the dreamer, but only if you dreamed of a flying scarab;

— Eastern dream book: if the beetle was in the mouth, the dream should be interpreted as a warning about imprudence and careless words. You should think before making fiery speeches, because they can lead to undesirable consequences;

— Aesop’s dream book: finding a scarab in your own bed means that you will soon find a soul mate;

— Assyrian dream book: if a beetle from a dream bites, this can be regarded as a warning about the hidden influence of other people on the dreamer’s fate. If the bite passes without a trace, there is nothing to be afraid of; if an abscess is seen in its place, the actions of the enemies will bring them the desired result;

— Noble dream book: a large scarab promises unpleasant secrets around the person who dreamed about it. They will bring with them a threat to well-being and negatively affect relationships with loved ones;

— Modern dream book: A scarab beetle seen in a young girl’s dream promises a quick marriage, but if the insect crawled away, the marriage will not last long.

If in a dream the scarab was not just static, but moved or interacted with the dreamer in some way, this leaves an imprint on the interpretation of the dream:

- an insect covered in amber means that you will soon have to take on the burden of responsibility for the fate of another person;

- a precious decoration in the form of a scarab symbolizes unexpected wealth - winning a lottery, inheritance or bonus;

- the image of a beetle on household items promises the dreamer harmony in family life and improved relationships with children and spouse;

- a feeling of disgust in a dream towards a scarab or its specific food indicates that in reality unpleasant rumors are being spread about the dreamer, which can ruin relationships with loved ones;

— a dung beetle in a plate warns against concluding important transactions, especially with unverified people: there is a high probability of losing money;

- if the scarab crossed the road or was simply on the way, there will be a meeting that will affect the dreamer’s fate.

The scarab, despite its frightening appearance and gloomy color, does not promise major troubles or health problems in a dream. Unlike many other insects, it becomes a harbinger of success, provided that effort is invested in achieving it.

Features of character and lifestyle

Photo: Large scarab beetle

The scarab beetle is considered the strongest and hardest working insect, capable of moving 90 times its own weight. He has a unique natural skill - he creates an almost regular geometric figure - a sphere - from manure. You can see the scarab in its habitat from mid-March to October. The beetles are active during the day, and at night, if it is not too warm, they burrow into the ground. When it gets too hot during the day, insects begin to become nocturnal.

Beetles fly very well, so when they gather in large flocks, they wander around the surrounding area following herds of large herbivores. Scarabs can smell the smell of fresh manure from several kilometers away. The scarab was nicknamed the orderly of sandy soil for a reason, because almost its entire life is connected with manure. Several thousand beetles are able to process a pile of animal waste in no more than an hour, before it has time to dry out.

The dung balls are rolled by the beetles at a distance of several tens of meters from the heap into a shaded place, where they are then buried in the ground and eaten within a couple of weeks. Quite often, fierce fights arise between beetles over ready-made dung balls. As the balls roll, “family” pairs are formed. In temperate climates, where winters are cold, scarab beetles do not hibernate, but wait out the frosts, making reserves in advance, hiding in deep burrows and remaining active.

Benefits and harms for humans

The scarab beetle is not dangerous to humans: it will not attack or spoil food supplies or plants. On the contrary, by recycling organic residues, it helps enrich the soil with minerals and prevents the development of parasites in them, not to mention the specific smell of manure.

The tunnels that the insect prepares for its offspring become a kind of lungs for the soil, providing oxygen access to the roots of plants. For the Egyptians, the scarab beetle is a symbol that maintains the connection between the Sun God and people. It is believed that the insect accompanies a person in earthly and afterlife, signifying sunlight in the heart.

While the Egyptian is alive, the Sacred Scarab attracts good luck, gives longevity and prosperity, protects against evil spirits and brings a good harvest. After death, the insect helps to find a new life, since the religion of the Egyptians is based on the immortality of the soul. Even today, especially religious residents of Egypt place a figurine of a scarab made of ceramic, metal or glass into the burial.

In ancient times, the people of the banks of the Nile had a tradition of mummifying noble persons, then in place of the extracted heart they put a small scarab made of precious metal and decorated with stones. The tradition is associated with the understanding that the heart is the main organ of human life, therefore the ancient scarab beetle was called upon to help the germ of a new life.

Modern Egyptians, with the development of science and medicine, began to regard death as inevitable, but the symbol of the scarab did not disappear from their lives. It is believed that images and figures of a beetle rolling its ball bring good luck to students - after all, the insect creates an ideal geometric shape from waste, while working hard.

It helps creative people achieve their goals, create and turn the simplest things at first glance into works of art. For women, the scarab is the keeper of unfading beauty and longevity, because it was originally considered a symbol of life.

For the stronger sex, it brings recognition from colleagues and high financial inflows. The Egyptians firmly believe that desecration of the symbolism of the scarab by representatives of a different faith entails the wrath of higher powers, up to and including a mortal curse.

Social structure and reproduction

Photo: Egyptian scarab beetle

As such, there is no mating season among scarabs. The beetles mate and lay eggs as long as they are active. Moreover, they find a couple for themselves while working. Scarab beetles live up to about 2 years. Young insects prepare dung balls for their food. Somewhere at 3-4 months of life, males unite with females into “families” and begin to work together, preparing food not only for themselves, but also for future offspring.

First, the insects dig holes up to 30 cm deep with a nesting chamber at the end, into which dung balls are rolled and where mating then takes place. The male, having fulfilled his duty, leaves the nest, and the female lays eggs (1-3 pieces) in dung balls, giving them a pear-shaped shape. After this, the female also leaves the nest, filling the entrance from above.

Interesting fact: One fertilized female during the active period can create up to a dozen nests, and therefore lay up to 30 eggs.

After 10-12 days, the eggs hatch into larvae, which immediately begin to actively eat the food prepared by their parents. After about a month of such a well-fed life, each larva turns into a pupa, which after a couple of weeks turns into a fully formed beetle. Scarabs, after transforming from pupae, remain inside dung balls until autumn, or even spring, until the rains finally soften them.

Scarab life cycle stages:

• egg;
• larva;
• chrysalis;
• adult beetle.

Secrets of scarab magic in literature and art

It is human nature to show interest in everything mysterious. The scarab beetle is associated with strong directed magical effects. Writers and artists actively used this symbol in their works.

Fiction

The symbol of an insect with such unusual behavioral characteristics is reflected in fiction for children and adults by both domestic and foreign authors. First of all, this is an adventure and detective genre, with an almost obligatory historical background. The narrative captivates the reader and takes him into the world of magical phenomena and bright events that are closely intertwined with the world of the past.

• Gleason Colleen is an American writer, author of the novel The Mechanical Scarab. The work is written in the spirit of Arthur Conan Doyle. Victorian England, a series of mysterious murders with only one clue - a mechanical scarab. Plunging into adventure, the reader, together with the heroes of the work, will not only identify the criminal, but will also receive a lot of interesting historical information about the talisman.
• Katherine Fisher, a writer from England, invites all fantasy lovers to follow the difficult path to save Two-Earth with the heroes of the novel “Scarab.” The main characters will have to descend into the underworld and go through a thorny path to restore balance and harmony in the country.
• Adele Alekseeva is a Russian writer specializing in exciting historical novels. “The Golden Scarab or the Brothers of the Cross” is a story about a series of events in the life of the famous Russian architect Andrei Voronikhin.

In addition to the prose presented above, no less interesting are the works of Philip Vandenberg “The Secret of the Scarabs” and Zinaida Kurk “The Scarab”.

The unusual format of Regula de Tracy’s publication “The Egyptian Scarab Oracle” deserves special attention, which presents a description and explanation of the ancient system of fortune telling using scarab beetles. Having mastered the technique, you can try to look into the future or get answers to questions of interest.

Painting

Artists - authors of still lifes and animal painters - used the scarab as a necessary attribute that makes the idea of ​​a painting harmonious and interesting.

In the second half of the 19th century, French impressionist Eva Gonzalez presented to the public the painting “Peonies and a Large Brown Scarab Beetle.” A beautiful blossoming peony and a scarab crawling from east to west convey the well-known theme of the gradual blossoming of all living things, the desire for contemplation and touching the beautiful. Moving slowly towards the terry petals of the peony, the beetle feels the delicate aroma, the unfolding beauty and tenderness of the flower.

Eva Gonzalez "Peonies and a large brown scarab beetle"

In the first half of the 20th century, the Dutch graphic artist Maurits Cornelis Escher created an amazing image on wood - “Two Scarabs Moving a Ball.” According to the author, “in order to examine them, I had to draw them.” The artist admires the hard work and tenacity of insects.

Natural enemies of scarab beetles

Photo: What a scarab beetle looks like

Scarab beetles are quite large, easily visible from a height and somewhat slow-moving insects. In addition, they are so passionate about their activities that they do not notice anything around them except manure and their fellow creatures. For this reason, insects are easy to spot, catch and eat by birds of prey, as well as some mammals. The beetle, wherever it lives, is quite successfully hunted by crows, magpies, jackdaws, moles, foxes, and hedgehogs.

However, the tick is considered a more dangerous enemy than predators. A special feature of this mite is its ability to pierce the chitinous layer of a beetle with its sharp teeth, climb inside and eat it alive. One tick does not pose a great danger to a scarab, but when there are many of them, which happens quite often, the beetle gradually dies.

By the way, as a result of excavations in Egypt, chitinous scarab shells with characteristic holes were found, proving that ticks have been the worst enemies of scarabs for a very long time. Moreover, so many shells were found that it suggests the idea of ​​periodic epidemics of ticks that once destroyed entire populations of beetles.

Why is this happening? Scientists do not yet have an exact answer on this matter, but it can be assumed that in this way nature is trying to regulate the numbers of a particular species.

Which amulet to choose

Regardless of which amulet you want to choose, its power will not just start working. This issue should be approached very responsibly. For the amulet to work, it must be selected individually, based not only on the appearance of the talisman, but also on the person to whom it will belong. Therefore, when choosing, be guided by the following rules:

1. Firstly, you need to have a clear understanding of what you want from the amulet, what function it should perform when you wear it. Thus, you initially saturate yourself with this energy, which will subsequently be transferred to the amulet and it will begin to act.
2. It is advisable not to buy them with various inscriptions, even on the reverse side. This can make the amulet's power much weaker. So, for example, if it says “for your health”, and you initially set yourself up for the purchase in order to attract money, its effect will be distorted.

Video about the sacred scarab beetle

Population and species status

Photo: Scarab beetle

According to entomologists, the Sacred Scarab is the only species of beetle, but not so long ago more than a hundred species of similar insects were identified and assigned to a separate family, Scarabs.

The most common of them:

• armeniacus Menetries;
• cicatricosus;
• variolosus Fabricius;
• winkleri Stolfa.

The above species of beetle are little studied, but basically they differ from each other only in size, shades of chitinous shell, and the division occurred depending on their habitat. People realized how useful scarab beetles are back in Ancient Egypt, when they noticed that black, inconspicuous insects diligently destroy manure and spoiled food. Thanks to their ability to cleanse the earth of waste products of animals and people, which is important in a very hot climate, black beetles began to be revered and elevated to a cult.

During the time of the pharaohs and later, in Ancient Egypt there was a cult of the scarab god Kheper, who is the deity of longevity and health. During excavations of the tombs of the pharaohs, huge quantities of Khepera figurines made of stone and metal, as well as gold medallions in the shape of a scarab beetle, were found. Scarab beetles are successfully used today as a natural “recycler” of manure.

Interesting fact: After the colonization of South America and Australia, where various livestock began to be raised in large numbers, local insects could no longer cope with simply huge amounts of manure. To solve the problem, it was decided to bring large quantities of these beetles there. The insects did not take root in Australia for long, but they completed the task.

Who is the talisman suitable for?

The scarab is one of those magical symbols that everyone needs at certain moments in life.

The Scarab Beetle talisman is suitable for men taking their first steps in business and who vitally need support and protection. With its help, experienced businessmen will gain confidence in their chosen path of development, expand their spheres of influence and increase their income.

Women can wear a talisman against the evil eye and damage, as a protective talisman for family, health and youth.

Children who have a beetle mascot from the first years experience a thirst for knowledge, development and personality formation.

Among the zodiac signs, Sagittarius and Scorpio are especially receptive to the positive energy of the talisman.

Photo of an amulet with a scarab beetle

Choosing a location for application

The scarab beetle, the tattoo of which many mystics consider an amulet, is popular among fans of permanent designs of the 21st century. Those who want to get such a picture choose different parts of the body to apply it, and the picture can be either very small, consisting only of a beetle, or large, for example, on the entire back, including additional elements.

Apply an image of a sun beetle to:

• wrist;
• shoulder;
• neck;
• breast;
• stomach;
• back;
• shin.

Each of the listed places has its own sacred meaning in the world of tattoos. Therefore, before choosing a part of the body for drawing, you need to understand and feel its energy.

Wrist

The Scarab Beetle tattoo can be placed on the wrist. In this case, the picture activates a person’s creative abilities and stimulates his imagination and desire to become famous.

For those who have chosen a sun beetle as a permanent design, you can add to it some other symbols of what the wearer plans to do and develop. The energy of the daylight in this case will help overcome obstacles and fill everything made by hand with positive energy.

Shoulder

Eastern sages believe that a tattoo applied to the shoulder will allow the owner to make his way in life and achieve success in all chosen areas of activity. According to the teachings of Feng Shui, this part of the body, as well as the shoulder blade, is responsible for the Li side of the world, associated with the southern hemisphere of the Earth and the Sun.

The scarab beetle, as a symbol of the daylight, is suitable for applying to the shoulders. In this case, a tattoo will help realize all your ideas and contribute to the rapid restoration of strength for further work.

Neck

The cardinal directions Qian and Dui are responsible for this part of the human body. Those who choose to tattoo their neck want to comprehend secret knowledge. Eastern sages note that the permanent picture here should be in silver and gold tones. Those who have chosen a scarab to decorate this part of the body must, when painting the beetle, focus on the listed colors.

For those who decide to put a sun beetle behind their ear, the Egyptian talisman will allow them to hear more pleasant words addressed to them. A tattoo on this place brings peace, happiness and tranquility into the life of the owner.

Breast

Men have a sun beetle tattoo on their chest, while women prefer to place it on their rib cage. According to the Eastern teachings of harmony, Li is also responsible for this part of the body.

The scarab on the chest symbolizes openness to the Sun and life. The tattoo also indicates that a person faces everything that happens in life with a clear gaze, without turning away. Large insects are usually painted on the chest, which makes them look like a shield or armor.

Stomach

The eastern direction Kun is responsible for permanent pictures on the stomach. The part of the body between the ribs, going down to the genitals, is associated with procreation, a strong family and romantic relationships.

Those who want to make a sun beetle on their belly need to paint it in warm yellow tones. It is recommended to get a tattoo in this place if you have problems in your personal life or have been unable to conceive a child for a long time.

Back

The scarab beetle, the tattoo of which is often placed on the back of men, has, according to the Eastern teachings of harmony, 2 zones of influence. From the shoulders to the lower back there is the Zhen zone, where it is recommended to make drawings with a predominance of dark green and brown, and Kan, from the lower back and below, where the pictures should be in blue and black tones.

A scarab in the Zhen zone will help the owner create a family or improve relationships within it and improve their health, including getting rid of bad habits. Located in the Kan zone, the beetle activates growth in the professional field.

Leg

According to Feng Shui, feet are responsible for a person's sexual energy. By placing a tattoo on this part of the body, for which Xun is responsible, a person activates prosperity and well-being in his life.

Having decided to draw a scarab in any part of the leg, it is necessary that the beetle be more of a green shade. It is noteworthy that permanent pictures of the fairer sex are most often placed on the lower extremities.

Habitat of skorobei

Most species of the scarab genus live in the Afrotropical region, since the hot climate of this area is excellent for these insects. About 20 species can be found in the Palearctic region, in countries such as:

• France;
• Spain;
• Bulgaria;
• Greece;

• Ukraine;
• Kazakhstan;
• Türkiye;
• southern regions of Russia.

It is worth noting that scarab beetles are not found on the mainland of Australia and the entire Western Hemisphere.