The Green Scarab Beetle (scientific name: Diphucephala colaspidoides (Gyllenhal)) is another beetle belonging to the family Scarabaeidae. This large family of more than 30,000 species has some of the most fascinating beetles in the insect world. Green Scarab Beetles are mostly found in Southern Australia where they are common in early summer and can sometimes be found in backyards of houses.
There is a club at the end of each short and elbowed antennae that helps to identify scarab beetles. Some species are brilliantly colored in metallic hues of black, purple, blue, green, bronze or gold and have a red hue on their elytra and thorax. Most adult scarabs are oval in shape, but some are a circular shape.
Scarab Beetles are strong beetles that vary greatly in shape and size ranging from 2 to 155 millimetres. Green Scarabs usually measure around 8 millimetres in length.
Larvae of this family are the type for those termed scarabaeiform. Larvae of this type are sluggish, cylindrical, c-shaped, with a well-developed head and thoracic legs. The larvae of many species of scarabs feed on roots, sap and decaying wood while the adults feed on leaves and flowers. In other species, both larvae and adults feed on carrion, dung, skin and feathers.
Appearance and Identification
The Green Scarab Beetle is a small but eye-catching insect. As its name suggests, its body is a bright, shiny green that can appear to shimmer or change slightly in colour depending on the angle of the light. This metallic sheen is caused by the microscopic structure of the beetle’s outer shell rather than any actual pigment, which is the same reason that some butterfly wings appear to change colour when viewed from different angles.
The body is compact and oval shaped, and the wing covers, known as elytra, fit tightly over the abdomen and meet neatly in the middle. The legs are short but strong, and the antennae are elbowed with a distinctive club-like tip that is characteristic of the scarab family as a whole. This clubbed antenna is one of the easiest ways to identify a scarab beetle, and the Green Scarab is no exception.
Despite its small size of around 8 millimetres, the Green Scarab is a noticeable insect when seen on a flower or leaf in bright sunlight, where its metallic colouring makes it stand out clearly against the green of its surroundings.
Habitat and Distribution
The Green Scarab Beetle is native to southern Australia and is particularly common in the states of Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales. It tends to favour open grassland, farmland, gardens and woodland edges, and it is often encountered in suburban areas during the summer months when adults emerge in large numbers to feed and mate.
The beetle is most active during the day and is frequently seen on the flowers of roses, fruit trees and other garden plants, where it feeds on petals and pollen. Its preference for ornamental and edible plants means it regularly comes into contact with humans, and it is considered a minor pest species in some parts of Australia, particularly in orchards and vineyards where large numbers can cause noticeable damage to flowers and young fruit.
Life Cycle and Larval Stage
Like all beetles, the Green Scarab undergoes complete metamorphosis, passing through four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. The female lays her eggs in the soil, often in areas where there is a good supply of organic matter for the developing larvae to feed on. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae, which are the typical C-shaped grubs associated with the scarab family, burrow into the soil and begin feeding on plant roots and decaying organic material.
The larval stage is the longest part of the Green Scarab’s life cycle and can last for several months. During this time the grubs remain hidden underground, causing damage to the roots of grass and other plants as they feed and grow. This root feeding can lead to patches of dying grass in lawns and playing fields, and is one of the reasons scarab larvae are considered a significant agricultural and horticultural pest in parts of Australia.
When the larval stage is complete, the grub pupates in a small chamber in the soil before emerging as a fully formed adult beetle, usually in late spring or early summer.
The Scarab in History and Culture
The scarab beetle holds a remarkable place in human history. In ancient Egypt, a related species known as the Sacred Scarab (Scarabaeus sacer) was one of the most important religious symbols in the entire culture. The Egyptians observed the beetle rolling balls of dung across the ground and saw in this behaviour a symbol of the sun being rolled across the sky. The scarab became associated with the sun god Ra and with the cycle of life, death and rebirth.
Scarab amulets were worn as good luck charms, placed in tombs to protect the dead, and carved onto rings and seals used to stamp official documents. Thousands of scarab artefacts have been found by archaeologists across Egypt and the wider ancient world, making the scarab one of the most recognisable symbols of ancient Egyptian civilisation. While the Green Scarab of Australia has no such cultural history, it belongs to the same remarkable family of beetles that captured the imagination of one of the greatest civilisations in human history.
Sources & References
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APA
Joanne Spencer (2026, April 9). Green Scarab Beetle. Animal Corner. Retrieved 2026, October 5, from https://animalcorner.org/animals/green-scarab-beetle/
MLA
Joanne Spencer. "Green Scarab Beetle." Animal Corner, 2026, April 9, https://animalcorner.org/animals/green-scarab-beetle/.
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