Scarabaeidae

plural noun

Scar·​a·​bae·​i·​dae
-ēəˌdē
: a family of stout-bodied lamellicorn beetles now usually restricted to beetles (as the tumblebugs or scarabaeus) of subsocial habits that feed on dung but sometimes especially formerly extended to include the plant-feeding rhinoceros beetles, flower beetles, leaf chafers and others that are usually placed in separate families compare cetoniidae , dung beetle, melolonthidae, rutelinidae

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Scarabaeus, type genus + -idae

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Cite this Entry

“Scarabaeidae.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Scarabaeidae. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

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