Cyclocephala

Definition

A genus of scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae) distributed across the Americas from southeastern Canada to Argentina, with some species also occurring in the West Indies and India. Members are moderate-sized dynastines, often recognized by their rounded, compact body form and frequently crepuscular or nocturnal habits. Many species are associated with rotting organic matter or are pollinators of aroid inflorescences, engaging in mutualisms where adults feed on floral rewards and facilitate pollen transfer.

Etymology

From Greek kyklos (circle, round) + kephale (head), referring to the rounded head capsule characteristic of the genus.

Example

Cyclocephala sanguinicollis, a widespread Neotropical species, is frequently attracted to lights and is among the most commonly collected dynastines in Central American survey work.

Related Terms

• Dynastinae
• Scarabaeidae
• Coleoptera
• scarab beetle
• rhinoceros beetle
• pollination mutualism
• saprophagy

Usage Notes

Authority is Dejean, 1821 (not Latreille, 1829, a later homonym in Diptera). The genus is speciose with over 150 described species; identification relies heavily on male genitalic characters and subtle differences in clypeal and pronotal armature. Not to be confused with the dipteran genus of the same name (Strobl, 1902).