Insect
Sericesthis geminata
Sericesthis geminataAlso known as Pruinose Scarab, Pruinose Pasture Scarab
Pruinose scarabs are common native chafers across southeastern Australia whose plump, subterranean larvae feed on pasture and turf grass roots. Adults emerge on warm autumn evenings, often gathering in noticeable swarms around outdoor lights before dispersing into the tree canopy. Their bodies bear a fine, frosted sheen across the elytra that helps them blend into dry bark and eucalyptus leaf litter during daylight hours.
NocturnalPasture ScarabRoot Feeder
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyGrass roots, Eucalyptus leaves, Pasture foliage
Predators
- Australian Magpie
- Tawny Frogmouth
- Microbats
ThreatsPesticide runoff, lawn treatment chemicals, and agricultural tilling
HabitatsPastures, open woodlands, agricultural grasslands, and suburban lawns
Life span1–2 years (mostly spent as a subterranean larva)
Classification
- OrderColeoptera
- FamilyScarabaeidae
- GenusSericesthis
- SpeciesSericesthis geminata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Porch Light Watching: Check illuminated windows, walls, and screens on mild autumn nights.
- Gentle Handling: Pick up stray beetles carefully by the sides of the thorax to return them to foliage.
Predator (c) Saryu Mae 前 朝琉, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Saryu Mae 前 朝琉 · cc-by
Image unavailableClose Relative 
Same Family (c) Kerri-Lee Harris, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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