Final answer:
The scarab beetle is the insect that ancient Egyptians associated with death and rebirth, symbolizing transformation and the cyclic nature of life through its behaviors observed by Egyptians.
Step-by-step explanation:
The insect that symbolizes both death and rebirth in ancient Egypt is the scarab beetle. This creature was linked to the god Khepri, who represented the rising sun and rebirth, and was believed to protect against evil and death. The scarab was a common motif in Egyptian art, jewelry, and amulets, and was also associated with the process of mummification and the journey to the afterlife.
The Egyptians observed how scarab beetles rolled dung into balls and buried them, with larvae later emerging from them, seemingly from the dead. This process made the beetle an emblem of transformation and the cyclic nature of life, which made it an apt symbol for concepts of death and rebirth.