Dung Beetles, January 2008
(Phanaeus vindex MacLachlan; Onthophagus gazelle Fabricius)
Gemstones on canvas
17.5 cm x 12.5 cm
Background: picture jasper (~1500 stones)
The beetles: red tiger eye (~500 stones including dung ball)
The dung ball was made of a variety of stones.
Dung Beetles are considered beneficial insects since they recycle animal faeces. Their larvaes feed on animal excrement which is arranged by the parents into a ball. These beetles are related to the sacred scarab of ancient Egypt.
In nature the beetles are dark metallic blue-copper. Here on my painting they are dark red-black which differentiates them from the background.