Phyllophaga idonea
Sanderson, 1948
Phyllophaga idonea is a of May beetle in the Scarabaeidae, described by Sanderson in 1948. Like other members of the Phyllophaga, it belongs to a highly diverse group of scarab beetles with over 400 species in North America. Species in this genus are typically as , with larvae feeding on plant roots in soil. The specific and of P. idonea remain poorly documented compared to some .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Phyllophaga idonea: /ˌfɪloʊˈfeɪɡə aɪˈdoʊniə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
As with most Phyllophaga , reliable identification of P. idonea to species level requires examination of male and female genitalia. The is characterized by with 10-segmented , and most species are capable of . P. idonea is one of many species in this large genus where external morphological differences from closely related species are subtle and not readily apparent without detailed taxonomic study.
Distribution
Phyllophaga idonea is recorded from the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. It occurs in the Nearctic region within the arid and semi-arid zones of the American Southwest.
Similar Taxa
- Phyllophaga cribrosaSimilar oval, convex body shape and black coloration, but P. cribrosa is distinguished by its cribrose (sieve-like) elytral surface, distinct longitudinal elytral furrows, and flightless nature
- Phyllophaga lanceolataBoth are southwestern U.S. , but P. lanceolata is distinguished by its conspicuous covering of and activity pattern