The scarab beetle IS NOT the flesh-eating monster shown in the film 'The Mummy'! It eats dung. The beetle can be seen in the desert rolling a ball of animal dung into its underground home. The Egyptians compared this to the rolling of the sun-disc across the sky. In addition, scarab eggs are laid in a dung ball. The young can feed off the dung when they hatch. Finally, the pupae looks like a mummy. For these reasons, the beetle was associated wit Painted wooden scarab beetle with wings. possibly from a coffin. Damaged. Originally part of the Rustafjaell collection purchased by Wellcome.
