Geotrupidae
Large (10-26mm) and distinctive dung beetles, often seen flying during bright sunshine or at dusk. Adults excavate vertical tunnels, often shallow, where eggs are laid on buried dung. Occasionally in decaying fungi or at sap. Adults stridulate.     Antennae 11 segmented with compact asymetrically lamellate clubs, not geniculate (cf Lucanidae). Abdomen with 6 visible ventrites, usually vividly metallic blue/green. Eyes divided horizontally by a callus. Foretibiae with at least 6 teeth on outer side (cf Scarabaeidae). Mandibles produced forward so visible from above, a condition also seen in Histeridae but here the abdomen projects beyond the elytra and the antennae are distinctive.    There are seven British species in four genera. Our only species of Typhaeus, T.typhoeus L. (10-20mm) is atypical in possessing either three forwardly pointing pronotal horns in the male or a transverse ridge anteriorly with a spur at each side in the female. It is a local southeastern species of dry, sandy soils and occurs in the spring and autumn (Britton).    Members of the remaining genera have generally been included in the genus Geotrupes in the English literature.    Our two species of Trypocopris, T.pyrenaeus (Charpentier) and T.vernalis (L.) both very local in southern England, are recognised by their very faint elytral striae, barely visible to the naked eye.    Our only Anoplotrupes, A.stercorosus (Scriba), is featured.    Geotrupes contains three species; G.mutator (Marsham) widespread and not uncommon, is unique in having nine well impressed and obvious striae between the suture and the inner side of the humeral prominence. G.spiniger (Marsham) and G.stercorarius (L.) are featured.
Anoplotrupes stercorosus
Geotrupes spiniger
Geotrupes stercorarius
Trypocopris pyrenaeus
Typhaeus typhoeus	Typhaeus typhoeus