David Knowles Photographer; dung beetle; insect; Dung-Beetle; beetles which feed partly or exclusively on faeces; Scarabaeinae and Aphodiinae; rollers; rolling dung into spherical balls; food source or brooding chambers; black or brown in colour; some are of metallic lustre; flattened; but stout body; toothed legs specialised for rolling dung; habitats; desert; farmland; forest; and grasslands; role in agriculture; they improve nutrient cycling and soil structure; Scarabaeus sacer (often referred to as scarab); enjoyed a sacred status among the ancient Egyptians.; The scarab was linked to Khepri he who has come into being"; the god of the setting sun
Lady birds; animals; insects; bugs; hard shell; red/orange; black spots; Entomology; Coccinellidae; beetle; ladybirds; group; family; beetles;
Description
Coccinellidae is a family of beetles, known variously as ladybirds (UK, Ireland, Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, India, Malta, some parts of Canada and the US), or ladybugs (North America). Scientists increasingly prefer the names ladybird beetles or lady beetles as these insects are not true bugs. Lesser-used names include God's cow, ladyclock, lady cow, and lady fly. Coccinellids are small insects, ranging from 1 mm to 10 mm (0.04 to 0.4 inches), and are commonly yellow, orange, or scarlet with small black spots on their wing covers, with black legs, head and antennae. A very large number of coccinellid species are mostly, or entirely, black, grey, or brown and may be difficult for non-entomologists to recognize as coccinellids. Conversely, there are many small beetles that are easily mistaken for coccinellids, such as the tortoise beetles
The cardinal beetle (Pyrochroa coccinea) is a brightly-coloured red or orange beetle. It is approximately 20 mm long. It has a black face. Pyrochroa serraticornis, which is very similar to P. coccinea except it has a red head instead of a black one, is also referred to as a Cardinal beetle. The cardinal beetle is bright red; in that way it warns predators that it is toxic.
