Phyllophaga longitarsa
(Say, 1824)
May beetle, Junebug
Phyllophaga longitarsa is a of scarab beetle in the Phyllophaga, commonly known as May beetles or Junebugs. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1824 and is native to North America. Like other members of the genus, it likely exhibits a subterranean larval stage feeding on plant roots and an stage that emerges in spring or early summer. The genus Phyllophaga is one of the most species-rich scarab genera in North America, with over 400 species, and species-level identification often requires examination of genitalia.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Phyllophaga longitarsa: /ˌfɪloʊˈfeɪɡə ˌlɒŋɡɪˈtɑːrsə/
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Distribution
Found in central and western North America. Records include: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Similar Taxa
- Phyllophaga cribrosaBoth are flightless May beetles with dark coloration, but P. cribrosa has a cribrose (sieve-like) surface texture and distinct longitudinal elytral furrows not present in P. longitarsa. P. cribrosa is restricted to Oklahoma and Texas, while P. longitarsa has a broader central and western distribution.
- Phyllophaga lanceolataBoth are , flightless May beetles with conspicuous covering, but P. lanceolata is restricted to shortgrass prairie of the Great Plains and has a more western distribution. P. longitarsa occurs further east and lacks the heavy scale covering characteristic of P. lanceolata.
- Phyllophaga epigaeaClosely related and similar in appearance to P. cribrosa, with which P. longitarsa may be confused; however, P. epigaea is restricted to Texas and lacks the distinct elytral furrows of P. cribrosa. P. longitarsa is distinguished by its broader distribution and different male genitalia.