Scarab Beetle

plum colored Beetle, Scarabaeidae, Kenya. Photo © by Michael Plagens

Observed on flowers of Conyza at Mweiga, Nyeri Co, Kenya, Dec. 2015. Length is about 9mm.

Many, many species of beetles belonging to the scarab family are likely to exist in Kenya. This one is feeding in flower heads of a composite. The immature stage, a larva also known as a grub, lives in the soil or within dung or rotting logs.

Scarabaeidae -- Scarab Beetle Family -- Melolonthinae subfamily

More Information:

This beetle and the following are similar with the obvious difference being the smooth vs. grooved elytra.

Plum-colored Scvarabaeidae Beetle, photo © Michael Plagens

Kenya Natural History

Copyright Michael J. Plagens. Page created 08 April 2016