Invertebrates
Rainbow Dung Beetle
Phanaeus vindex · also called rainbow scarab
Shimmering in iridescent red, green, and gold, a rainbow dung beetle digs steadily into the ground beneath a fresh dropping, burying its find directly rather than rolling it away like its more famous scarab relatives.
Overview
The rainbow dung beetle, Phanaeus vindex, is native to grassland and forest habitat across parts of North America. Its shimmering multicoloured shell, horned males used in combat, and dig-and-bury approach to handling dung make it one of the most visually striking and ecologically valuable dung beetle species in North America.
A different strategy for the same job
While some famous dung beetles roll their find across open ground, the rainbow dung beetle takes the opposite approach, burying dung directly beneath where it falls, an equally effective but visually quieter method of recycling nutrients back into the soil.
Status
Not Evaluated for conservation status, found across suitable grassland and forest habitat throughout North America.
Rainbow Dung Beetle: common questions
How does the rainbow dung beetle get its colour?
It displays a shimmering iridescent sheen across red, green, and gold tones, ranking among the most vividly coloured dung beetle species found anywhere.
Does the rainbow dung beetle roll dung like other famous dung beetles?
No, it digs dung directly into the ground beneath the dropping rather than shaping it into a ball and rolling it away, a different strategy from the more famous dung-rolling scarabs.
What is the horn on the male rainbow dung beetle for?
Males use the prominent horn on their head in disputes with rival males, typically over access to dung resources or mates.
Where is the rainbow dung beetle found?
It is native to grassland and forest habitat across parts of North America.