dung beetle

any of various scarab beetles that feed on or breed in dung.

Origin of dung beetle

First recorded in 1625–35

I know in my neighbourhood one Dung-beetle and one alone who also works among carrion.

The Glow-Worm and Other Beetles |Jean Henri Fabre
One or more species of the dung-beetle mites (Gamasid) have also been known to fasten themselves on man.

Parasites |T. Spencer Cobbold
Our modern knights might be very handsomely represented in steel-blue armour, made from the wings of the dung-beetle.

Tour in England, Ireland, and France, in the years 1826, 1827, 1828 and 1829. |Hermann Pckler-Muskau
In the same manner, nothing changes in the art of the Dung-beetle, victualling himself with materials in this mine or that.

The Glow-Worm and Other Beetles |Jean Henri Fabre

And then to be fooling round here alone night after night with that dung-beetle, that Tommy—the beast smells, I tell you.

The Song of Songs |Hermann Sudermann

dung beetle

any of the various beetles of the family Scarabaeidae and related families that feed on or breed in dung