Eger's Earth Boring Beetle
Geotrupes egeriei
This record describes Geotrupes egeriei (species). Recorded family: Geotrupidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Black with blue or green hue; oval, convex. Pronotum deeply, coarsely punctate laterally. Elytral striae deep, differently colored.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Scarabaeoidea
- Family
- Geotrupidae (Earth-Boring Scarab Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Geotrupinae
- Genus
- Geotrupes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Eastern US
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults feed on dung, fungi, and decaying vegetable matter. Larva feed on old cow dung.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Geotrupes egeriei. 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 Eger's Earth Boring Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Phillip Harpootlian
Frequently Asked Questions About Eger's Earth Boring Beetle
What is Eger's Earth Boring Beetle?
Eger's Earth Boring Beetle (Geotrupes egeriei) is a species in the family Geotrupidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Eger's Earth Boring Beetle?
11-20 mm.
How do you identify Eger's Earth Boring Beetle?
Black with blue or green hue; oval, convex. Pronotum deeply, coarsely punctate laterally. Elytral striae deep, differently colored.
Where is Eger's Earth Boring Beetle found?
Range: Eastern US
What does Eger's Earth Boring Beetle eat?
The diet of the Eger's Earth Boring Beetle includes Adults feed on dung, fungi, and decaying vegetable matter. Larva feed on old cow dung..