The Rainbow Scarab is one of North America's most beautiful beetles, a dung beetle with iridescent green-and-gold coloration and male bears an impressive curved horn on his head. Pairs roll balls of mammal dung across the ground and bury them as food for their offspring. This behavior is ecologically vital, recycling nutrients and burying seeds. It is North America's only true dung roller.
Best time to see a Rainbow Scarab
The best time to see a Rainbow Scarab is March–August, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 6,208 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Rainbow Scarab? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Rainbow Scarab sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Rainbow Scarab?
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