Scarab Beetles (Coleoptera:Scarabaeidae) of Badalkhol Wildlife Sanctuary, Chhattisgarh, India

The diversified habitats, climatic conditions, available food resources provide a shelter for various insect groups in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Globe. With their highly diverse niche range the beetles in the order Coleoptera represent around 387,100 species globally (Zhang 2011) and are highly diverse so far as their species richness. The scarab beetles belong to family Scarabaeidae under superfamily Scarabaeoidea. The relatively large and stout body, conspicuous colour pattern, elaborate ornamentation and 10 antennal segments with 3-7 segmented club distinguish them from other beetle families. They show an extensive range of assortment in their habitat according to their food preference and life forms. Sometimes dead matters and fungi are chosen as food by them. Often vegetables, fruits, pollens etc. are also preferable food stuff for these beetles. Many of them employed themselves to clean the ground by feeding on detritus matters. More predominantly the beetles belonging to the subfamilies, Scarabaeinae and Aphodiinae are associated with dung. They play important roles in nutrient cycling, soil aeration (Mittal, 1993), regulation of dung breeding dipteran pests (Borenmissza, 1970; Fincher 1981). Being phytophagous the subfamilies namely, Melolonthinae, Euchirinae, Rutelinae, Hoplinae, Dynastinae, Valginae, Cetoniinae and Trichiinae belong to the group Pleurosticti (chafers).