Keys for the identification of British Scarabaeidae

This family includes the dung beetles and flower chafers. Many of the species in this family have experienced great declines in their range over the last century often due to changes in agricultural practice. Up to date information is available on the Dung Beetle UK Mapping Project led by Darren Mann at the Oxford University Museum (https://dungbeetlemap.wordpress.com). Details about how to extract beetles from dung are given at http://www.thewcg.org.uk/pages/dungsampling.htm.

The keys below should enable you to get to grips with the British species. Some indications of rarity are up to date but some are not.

The latest edit below includes a revision of genus Onthophagus based on my examination of museum specimens and also includes Valgus hemipterus.