Hybosoridae, sometimes known as the scavenger scarab beetles, is a family of scarabaeiform beetles. The 690 species in 97 genera occur widely in the tropics, but little is known of their biology.

Hybosoridae
Temporal range: Middle Jurassic–Recent
Hybosorus roei
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Suborder: Polyphaga
Infraorder: Scarabaeiformia
Superfamily: Scarabaeoidea
Family: Hybosoridae
Erichson, 1847
Subfamilies[1]

Hybosorids are small, 5–7 mm in length and oval in shape. Color ranges from a glossy light brown to black. They are distinctive for their large mandibles and labrum, and their 10-segmented antennae, in which the 8th antennomore of the club is deeply grooved and occupied by the 9th and 10th antennomeres. The legs have prominent spurs.

The larvae have the C-shape and creamy white appearance typical of the scarabaeiforms. The 4-segmented legs are well-developed; the front legs are used to stridulate by rubbing against the margin of the epipharynx, a habit unique to this family.

Adults are known to feed on invertebrate and vertebrate carrion, with some found in dung. Larvae have been found in decomposing plant material. Little more is known of their life histories.

The group has been long recognized as distinct, primarily because of the larval characteristics, either as a distinct family or as a subfamily of Scarabaeidae.

Genera

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Data sources: i = ITIS,[2] c = Catalogue of Life,[3] g = GBIF,[4] b = Bugguide.net[5]

Extinct genera

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References

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  1. ^ Federico C. Ocampo (2006). "Phylogenetic Analysis of the Scarab Family Hybosoridae and Monographic Revision of the New World Subfamily Anaidinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea)". University of Nebraska State Museum Bulletins. 19. Archived from the original on 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2018-05-02.
  2. ^ "Hybosoridae Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
  3. ^ "Browse Hybosoridae". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
  4. ^ "Hybosoridae". GBIF. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
  5. ^ "Hybosoridae Family Information". BugGuide.net. Retrieved 2018-04-23.