May Beetle

May Beetle, Scarabaeidae, Kenya. Photo © by Michael Plagens

Observed at lights, upper Kerio Valley, Kenya, Dec. 2015. Length is about 11mm.

Many, many species of may beetles belonging to the scarab family are likely to exist in Kenya. This one has a unique fring of long setae all around the elytra, pronotum and head. Perhaps an adaptation for moving into sandy or loose soil. The grubs of may beetles live in the soil and many are associated with dung of ungulates. Look for the c-shaped grubs tunneling beneath dung piles.

Scarabaeidae -- Scarab Beetle Family -- Melolonthinae subfamily

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Kenya Natural History

Copyright Michael J. Plagens. Page created 6 October 2015