Phanaeus (beetle)

Phanaeus, the rainbow scarabs,[1] is a genus of true dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae (scarab beetles), ranging from the United States to northern Argentina, with the highest species richness in Mexico.

[2][3] Depending on species, they can inhabit a wide range of habitats, from tropical to temperate climates and deserts to rainforests.

[4] They are up to about 2.5 cm (1 in) long and most (but not all) species have bright metallic colors with males having a horn on their head and/or one or two spikes on the pronotum.

[2][3] Males of several species occur in two distinct morphs, referred to as "major" and "minor", that differ in body size and size/presence of horn/spikes.

[5] A tunnel with dung also serves as a temporary living quarter for a single adult or a pair and is only left once the food supply is exhausted or inedible; adults of some species will overwinter in their tunnel.

Phanaeus difformis pair (female below right) at dung in Rosamond Gifford Zoo , United States
Male Phanaeus adonis is found in Mexico (also ranging into far southern Texas), like almost half the species in the genus [ 1 ] [ 3 ]
Male Phanaeus amethystinus showing its iridescent blue color and horn on the head
Male Phanaeus triangularis texensis , which often is considered its own species [ 3 ]