Humpback Dung Beetle
Deltochilum gibbosum
This record describes Deltochilum gibbosum (species). Recorded family: Scarabaeidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
♂ [prominent hump on each elytron] ♀ [no humps] Protarsi absent. Clypeus with 2 pairs of teeth, the inner ones pointy, the outer rounded:
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Scarabaeoidea
- Family
- Scarabaeidae (Scarab Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Scarabaeinae
- Tribe
- Deltochilini
- Genus
- Deltochilum
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
wooded places; on carrion, dung, rotting fruit, fungi
Geographic Range
se.US (MD‒FL to KS‒TX)
Diet and Behavior
Life History
brood ball typically pear-shaped, covered with soil and sometimes leaves, and placed in a shallow burrow ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Deltochilum gibbosum ( Fabricius 1775)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Deltochilum gibbosum. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Humpback Dung Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Humpback Dung Beetle
What is Humpback Dung Beetle?
Humpback Dung Beetle (Deltochilum gibbosum) is a species in the family Scarabaeidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Humpback Dung Beetle?
20‒25 mm
How do you identify Humpback Dung Beetle?
♂ [prominent hump on each elytron] ♀ [no humps] Protarsi absent. Clypeus with 2 pairs of teeth, the inner ones pointy, the outer rounded:
Where is Humpback Dung Beetle found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | wooded places; on carrion, dung, rotting fruit, fungi |
| Range | se.US (MD‒FL to KS‒TX) |
What is the life cycle of a Humpback Dung Beetle?
brood ball typically pear-shaped, covered with soil and sometimes leaves, and placed in a shallow burrow ( 3 )