Do you want to contribute to entomological research? We need your help! The Deans Lab

at the University of Alabama Huntsville is hosting a Scarab Citizen Science Project to track

both native and invasive species of scarab beetles throughout Alabama.

 

Beetles are the most diverse group of insects. They represent 40% of all insect species and 25% of all animal species! Scarabs are a specific family of beetles (Scarabaeidae) that includes over 35,000 species. Scarabs are found all over the world. Alabama has over 200 scarab species. Many have important ecological roles but some species are invasive pests. Grubs, the larval stage of scarabs, feed on grass roots and can damage turf, while adults can defoliate ornamentals and specialty crops. The Deans Lab is interested in understanding the diversity of scarab species throughout Alabama but we can't do it alone!

 

If you are interested in participating, follow these instructions:

1.  Create a free account on iNaturalist

2.  Log in and join the Scarab Citizen Science Project (UAH) by clicking the "Join this project" button in the upper right-hand corner.

3. Look for bugs and record them by clicking the "Add Observations" button on the project page. If you need help identifying scarab adults and/or grubs, please refer to the picture keys below (or give the iNaturalist AI tool a try). When documenting different scarab please add as much information as possible (host plant, alive/dead, time of day, etc.).

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Online keys: Purdue, BugGuide, Ohio State,  

 

Grubs are much more difficult to identify than adults- if you're up for it, give it a go! If you would like to submit grub specimens for us to identify or let us use your grubs in our research, simply place them in a container or bag with some soil, contact us, and we'll come pick them up!​​

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Carrie Deans
University of Alabama Huntsville
Biological Sciences Department

265-824-2136
cad0744@uah.edu

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Citizen scientists like you are integral for tracking important ecological species- thanks for your help!