Phyllophaga errans
(LeConte, 1859)
Phyllophaga errans is a of scarab beetle in the Phyllophaga, commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The genus contains over 400 species in North America, making it one of the most speciose genera in the region. Species-level identification within Phyllophaga is notoriously difficult and typically requires examination of male and female genitalia. P. errans occurs in the western United States.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Phyllophaga errans: /ˌfɪloʊˈfeɪɡə ˈɛrænz/
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Identification
identification within Phyllophaga is difficult and generally requires examination of genitalia. Phyllophaga errans can be distinguished from closely related species by examination of male and female genitalia. are typical of the in general body form: oval, convex, and robust. The species lacks the distinct cribrose (sieve-like perforated) surface texture found in P. cribrosa and the conspicuous covering found in P. lanceolata.
Distribution
Western United States: California, Nevada, and Oregon.
Similar Taxa
- Phyllophaga cribrosaSimilar oval, convex body shape and shining black coloration, but P. cribrosa has distinctive cribrose (perforated like a sieve) surface texture, 10-segmented , and is flightless. P. cribrosa occurs in Oklahoma and Texas, not the western states.
- Phyllophaga lanceolataBoth are western , but P. lanceolata has conspicuous covering on the body and is active during the day, whereas P. errans is more typical of the in being and lacks dense scale covering.
- Phyllophaga epigaeaClosely related resembling P. cribrosa in general appearance, but restricted to Texas and lacks distinct longitudinal elytral furrows.
- Phyllophaga zavalanaAnother Texas-restricted closely related to P. cribrosa; distinguished by lack of distinct elytral furrows.