25 most spectacular and beautiful Beetle Species
17. Minotaur beetle (Typhaeus typhoeus)
Male minotaur beetle on a rock
The minotaur beetle is glossy black and males have three spectacular prongs jutting from the middle part of their bodies. Adults are 20mm long. © Marek R Swadzba/ Shutterstock.com
Male minotaur beetles have three unmistakable bull-like horns. They use these to defend their nest and compete for females.
The minotaur beetle is a type of scarab beetle, belonging to the earth boring dung beetle group Geotrupidae. They drag animal droppings to their nests to feed their larvae, playing a vital role in recycling nutrients and waste.
Minotaur beetles are widespread, but scarce, across the heaths and moors of England and Wales. If you're lucky you may see one of these beetles in spring or autumn, but you're more likely to spot one of their burrow entrances - look out for a one centimetre hole near rabbit, sheep or deer dung.
Male minotaur beetle on a rock
The minotaur beetle is glossy black and males have three spectacular prongs jutting from the middle part of their bodies. Adults are 20mm long. © Marek R Swadzba/ Shutterstock.com
Male minotaur beetles have three unmistakable bull-like horns. They use these to defend their nest and compete for females.
The minotaur beetle is a type of scarab beetle, belonging to the earth boring dung beetle group Geotrupidae. They drag animal droppings to their nests to feed their larvae, playing a vital role in recycling nutrients and waste.
Minotaur beetles are widespread, but scarce, across the heaths and moors of England and Wales. If you're lucky you may see one of these beetles in spring or autumn, but you're more likely to spot one of their burrow entrances - look out for a one centimetre hole near rabbit, sheep or deer dung.
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13 January 2023
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