"A black insect, with brilliant metallic blue or purple reflections on the under side, and well known as "wheeling its drowsy flight" during fine evenings. This it does in search of a patch of cow-dung, through which it makes its way until reaching the ground, where it bores a perpendicular tunnel about 8 inches deep, and as wide as a man's finger; then ascending to the surface it conveys a quantity of dung to the bottom, and on this it proceeds to deposit an egg; another layer of the same material and another egg follow until the entire shaft is filled." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Dung Beetle

"A black insect, with brilliant metallic blue or purple reflections on the under side, and well known…

"A black insect, with brilliant metallic blue or purple reflections on the under side, and well known as "wheeling its drowsy flight" during fine evenings. This it does in search of a patch of cow-dung, through which it makes its way until reaching the ground, where it bores a perpendicular tunnel about 8 inches deep, and as wide as a man's finger; then ascending to the surface it conveys a quantity of dung to the bottom, and on this it proceeds to deposit an egg; another layer of the same material and another egg follow until the entire shaft is filled." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Dung Beetle

"A black insect, with brilliant metallic blue or purple reflections on the under side, and well known…

"A black insect, with brilliant metallic blue or purple reflections on the under side, and well known as "wheeling its drowsy flight" during fine evenings. This it does in search of a patch of cow-dung, through which it makes its way until reaching the ground, where it bores a perpendicular tunnel about 8 inches deep, and as wide as a man's finger; then ascending to the surface it conveys a quantity of dung to the bottom, and on this it proceeds to deposit an egg; another layer of the same material and another egg follow until the entire shaft is filled." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Dung Beetle

"A black insect, with brilliant metallic blue or purple reflections on the under side, and well known…

"Many of the dung beetles, among which the Sacred Beetle of the Egyptians, <em>Scarabus Aegyptiorum</em>, holds a prominent place, are remarkable for inclosing their eggs in a small pellet of dung, which they then roll along with their hind-legs, until they drop it into a hole which they have dug for its reception." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Sacred Beetle

"Many of the dung beetles, among which the Sacred Beetle of the Egyptians, Scarabus Aegyptiorum,…

"The Sacred Beetle of Egypt, Ateuchus sacer, somewhat resembles the Dor in form and habits. After depositing her egg on a piece of dung the female rolls the mass about in the sunshine with her forelegs until it forms a rounded ball. The process of hatching is thus accelerated, and a thin hardened crust is formed around the softer material inclosing the egg. A hole is then dug in the earth by means of its powerful forelegs, into which the ball is rolled and then covered over with earth, where it remains until fully developed. Those beetles show great perseverance in conveying the egg-laden pellets to their destination, frequently carrying them over rough ground on the broad flat surface of their heads, and seeking, when unable singly to complete the work, the assistance of their fellows." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Sacred Beetle

"The Sacred Beetle of Egypt, Ateuchus sacer, somewhat resembles the Dor in form and habits. After depositing…

An extensive genus of coleopterous insects tribes, and answering to the section Lamellicornes of Latereille. They are sometimes called dung-beetles, from their habit of enclosing their eggs in pellet of dung, which are placed in holes excavated for their reception.

Sacred Beetle

An extensive genus of coleopterous insects tribes, and answering to the section Lamellicornes of Latereille.…

Scarabaeidae. Stout-bodied beetles, many with bright metallic colors.

Scarab Beetle

Scarabaeidae. Stout-bodied beetles, many with bright metallic colors.

A European beetle in the family of dung beetles. It is also callled the May Bug.

Cockchafer

A European beetle in the family of dung beetles. It is also callled the May Bug.

An illustration of a dung fly.

Dung Fly

An illustration of a dung fly.

"The Mimas, <em>S. mimas</em>, is a beautiful South American species, of a rich golden-green color." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Mimas

"The Mimas, S. mimas, is a beautiful South American species, of a rich golden-green color."…

A species of dung beetle found in America.

Tumblebugs

A species of dung beetle found in America.