Phyllophaga futilis
(LeConte, 1850)
lesser June beetle
Phyllophaga futilis, commonly known as the lesser June beetle, is a of scarab beetle in the Scarabaeidae. It is found in North America, with distribution records spanning across the United States and southern Canada. Like other members of the Phyllophaga, it is commonly referred to as a May beetle or June beetle. The species is part of a large genus containing over 400 species in North America, many of which are difficult to distinguish without examination of genitalia.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Phyllophaga futilis: /ˌfɪloʊˈfeɪɡə ˈfjuːtɪlɪs/
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Identification
identification within the Phyllophaga is notoriously difficult, often requiring examination of male and female genitalia. Phyllophaga futilis is distinguished from other Phyllophaga species by specific morphological characters, though detailed diagnostic features are not well documented in accessible literature. The genus is characterized by with (fan-like) , stout bodies, and typically dull brown to black coloration.
Distribution
Nearctic region: Canada (New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec) and United States (Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin).
Similar Taxa
- Phyllophaga cribrosaBoth are flightless Phyllophaga with unusual activity patterns, but P. cribrosa is distinguished by its oval convex shape, shining black coloration, cribrose (sieve-like) surface texture, and distinct longitudinal elytral furrows
- Phyllophaga lanceolataBoth are Phyllophaga with conspicuous coverings (unusual in the ), but P. lanceolata is active during the day and occurs primarily in shortgrass prairie of the Great Plains