by Claire O'Neill

Today on Fresh Air, host Terry Gross interviews Douglas Emlen, professor of biology at the University of Montana. Emlen has devoted his life to an unlikely creature: the dung beetle. And deep in the wild beetle underworld, he has found natural beauty. These close-up photos of scarabs, taken by Emlen and other scientists, reveal rather pretty little critters. (And sometimes not so little — rhinoceros beetles can measure up to several inches!) Listen to the interview here.

1 of 10

View slideshow i

For full screen, click on the four-cornered arrow icon in the viewer's bottom right.

By Claire O'Neill

The Picture Show on Facebook or on Twitter