About Trox scaber (Linnaeus, 1767)
Trox scaber is a species of beetle belonging to the family Trogidae. Adult individuals of this insect measure between 5 and 8 millimeters in length. This beetle is found almost worldwide, including in Europe, and it lives in bird nests. Its elytra and pronotum have a rough, uneven sculptured texture, and bristly scales are present along the elytral ridges. T. scaber larvae develop inside the nests of tawny owls and other owl species, and can also develop in hollow tree nests occupied by jackdaws, woodpeckers, and other birds. These larvae feed primarily on small dry animal carcasses, preferring them when they are already dry. In Central Europe, this species is common in low-elevation terrain, and it is rare in the Alps.
