Looking for a rodeo

Scarab Beetles make up a large family of beetles characterised by stout bodies and antennae that are clubbed or ‘fan-like’. This blog site has covered many of these beetles including Fiddler Beetles, Chafers and the summery Christmas Scarab.

Terry H has recently come across another scarab – the rather large Cowboy Beetle (Chondropyga dorsalis). This one has fan antennae that it uses to detect odours, and female beetles during mating season. The Cowboy Beetle is not considered dangerous or even a pest. Like most scarabs the adults are nectar feeders and the young feed on decaying wood.

These native beetles are found along the east coast of Australia.

Giddy up.