Scarab Beetles

• Type: Magical Creature, Potion Ingredient
• Owners: Ron Weasley (possessed a jar)
• Maker: N/A (Natural creature)

The physical appearance of magical Scarab beetles is not described in detail in the novels. In their only significant appearance, they are seen as a collection of “dead Scarab beetles” inside a jar. It is likely they are dried for preservation and use in Potions. Based on their real-world counterparts, scarab beetles are typically stout-bodied insects, often with distinctive, metallic colours. Whether the magical variety shares these characteristics is unknown. They are considered a standard Potion Ingredient and are presumably sold at establishments like the Apothecary in Diagon Alley, similar to Beetle eyes.

The primary known use of Scarab beetles is as a Potion Ingredient. This is confirmed when Draco Malfoy observes a jar of them on Ron Weasley's desk and identifies them as such. Malfoy's taunt, “Trying to make a bit of money on the side, are you? Selling potion ingredients?”, implies that the beetles possess monetary value and are a tradeable commodity within the wizarding world. While the specific potions that require Scarab beetles are not mentioned in the original novels, their function as an ingredient is unambiguous.

The most notable appearance of Scarab beetles occurs during a Divination class at Hogwarts in 1993. Ron Weasley had a jar of dead beetles on his desk, which became the subject of ridicule from Draco Malfoy. Malfoy used the beetles as a pretext to mock the Weasley family's financial situation, accusing Ron of trying to sell them for extra money. Dead Scarab beetles were also observed on the ground by Arthur Weasley at the Quidditch World Cup campsite following the riot instigated by Death Eaters in 1994. It is unclear if these were magical beetles or simply mundane insects caught in the chaos.

Scarab beetles serve as a minor world-building element, adding detail to the practice of Potions and the wizarding economy. Their main narrative function is to act as a catalyst for a character interaction between Ron and Malfoy. The scene highlights Malfoy's ongoing animosity towards Ron and Harry Potter, as well as his prejudice concerning the Weasleys' lack of wealth. The beetles themselves are not central to any major plot point but contribute to the authentic and detailed atmosphere of the magical world.

• In various video game adaptations, such as Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Scarab beetles are a collectible ingredient that the player can find and use to brew potions (video game).
• According to Pottermore, Scarab beetles are used as an ingredient in the Wit-Sharpening Potion and the Strengthening Solution (Pottermore).
• In ancient Egyptian mythology, the scarab beetle was a powerful symbol representing the sun, creation, and rebirth. J.K. Rowling frequently draws on real-world mythology and symbolism for her magical creatures and ingredients, and the scarab's association with transformation fits well within the context of Potions.