escarabajo pelotero
/eskaɾaˌbaxo peloˈteɾo/masculine
The English phrase "dung beetle" is translated into Spanish as escarabajo pelotero. Wiktionary also lists ruedamierda and ruedapelota.
Meaning: insect of the family Scarabaeidae (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| escarabajo pelotero | /eskaɾaˌbaxo peloˈteɾo/ | masculine |
| ruedamierda | /rwedaˈmjeɾda/ | masculine |
| ruedapelota | /rwedapelota/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| escarabajo bolero | /eskaɾabaxo boleɾo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term refers to an insect belonging to the family Scarabaeidae.
What does it mean word for word?
The term escarabajo pelotero is composed of escarabajo (beetle) and pelotero (one who makes balls/pellets).
Which one should you use?
Escarabajo pelotero is the standard, neutral term. In contrast, ruedamierda is a vulgar way to refer to the insect.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Ruedamierda is considered slang and is vulgar.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, escarabajo pelotero is the most common term. In Spain, escarabajo estercolero is also used for this insect.
How does it change in a sentence?
escarabajo pelotero is a masculine noun. ruedamierda is a masculine noun. ruedapelota is a feminine noun. escarabajo bolero is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/eskaɾaˌbaxo peloˈteɾo/
Did you know?
- While pelotero describes the beetle here, in a sports context it refers to a baseball player.
- The word escarabajo shares a distant ancestor with the English word 'scarab', both tracing back to the Ancient Greek word kárabos.
- The term bolero is used for the beetle in some regions, but it is also the name of a traditional Spanish dance and a style of hat.
Examples in context
- Me sorprende cómo los escarabajos coprófagos tienen un papel vital en el ecosistema.I am amazed at how dung beetles play a vital role in the ecosystem.
- Vi un escarabajo pelotero en el jardín.I saw a dung beetle in the garden.
- El escarabajo pelotero mueve su bola de estiércol.The dung beetle moves its ball of dung.
- Ese escarabajo pelotero es muy pequeño.That dung beetle is very small.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are walking in a nature reserve.
- Alejandro¿Qué es ese insecto que corre?What is that insect running?
- SofíaEs un escarabajo pelotero, Alejandro.It is a dung beetle, Alejandro.
- AlejandroEs increíble cómo trabaja.It is incredible how it works.
- SofíaSí, es un insecto muy trabajador.Yes, it is a very hardworking insect.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dung beetle” translations and entries escarabajo pelotero, ruedamierda, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bolero, escarabajo, pelotero, ruedamierda, CC BY-SA 4.0.
