Polyphylla starkae

Skelley, 2009

Auburndale Scrub Scarab Beetle

Polyphylla starkae is a large scarab beetle to Florida's Lake Wales Ridge, where it inhabits specialized scrub . The belongs to the pubescens and exhibits pronounced : females are flightless with reddish-brown, , while males are capable of and possess dark elytra with patchy light brown setae. The specific epithet honors collector Donna Stark, and the references Auburndale, Florida, near its restricted range.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Polyphylla starkae: //ˌpɒlɪˈfɪlə ˈstɑːrkiː//

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Identification

The largest member of the pubescens . Females distinguished by reddish-brown at the base, rendering them flightless. Males distinguished by dark elytra with patchy light brown setae and functional capability. is significant and readily apparent.

Habitat

Restricted to very specific scrub on the Lake Wales Ridge in Central Florida. Requires intact scrub conditions.

Distribution

to the Lake Wales Ridge in Central Florida, USA. Known from a very limited geographic range near Auburndale, Florida.

Similar Taxa

Polyphylla pubescensMember of same ; co-occurs in sand dune of the Southeastern United States
Polyphylla donaldsoniMember of same ; co-occurs in sand dune of the Southeastern United States
Polyphylla woodruffiMember of same ; co-occurs in sand dune of the Southeastern United States

More Details

Etymology

The binomial name is an honorific for Donna Stark, who collected the . The derives from Auburndale, Florida, a city located near the species' range.

Species complex

Part of the pubescens , which includes P. pubescens, P. donaldsoni, and P. woodruffi, all to sand dunes in the Southeastern United States.