Hopliini
Hopliini
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Coleoptera
- Suborder: Polyphaga
- Superfamily: Scarabaeoidea
- Family: Scarabaeidae
- Subfamily: Melolonthinae
- Tribe: Hopliini
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Hopliini: /hoʊˈplaɪ.iː.naɪ/
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Images
Summary
The Hopliini tribe contains monkey beetles, which are important pollinators particularly for a wide variety of flowering plants in diverse ecosystems, predominantly in the Southern Hemisphere.
Physical Characteristics
Monkey beetles are part of the scarab beetles, characterized by their varying colors and patterns that often attract them to specific flowers.
Identification Tips
Look for beetles that favor flowers with white, yellow, pink, orange, and blue pigments, typically exhibiting symmetrical abstract patterns.
Habitat
Grazed and ungrazed areas where flowers are abundant.
Distribution
Primarily found in the Old World, especially diverse in Southern Africa, with limited representation in the New World.
Diet
Many species are nectarivorous and collect pollen, feeding on flower petals and reproductive parts of various plants.
Life Cycle
Details of the life cycle were not provided, but like other beetles, they undergo complete metamorphosis including egg, larva, pupa, and adult forms.
Reproduction
Specific details about reproduction were not provided in the information.
Ecosystem Role
As important pollinators, they play a crucial role in plant reproduction, specifically for Aizoaceae and Asteraceae families.
Evolution
The placement of Hopliini within Scarabaeidae is uncertain, being debated between the Melolonthinae and Rutelinae subfamilies.
Similar Taxa
Tags
- scarab beetles
- pollinators
- Hopliini
- ecosystem
- biodiversity