Phyllophaga prununculina
(Burmeister, 1855)
Phyllophaga prununculina is a of scarab beetle in the Scarabaeidae, commonly known as a May beetle or June beetle. It belongs to a large of over 400 North American species. Like other members of Phyllophaga, it has a involving soil-dwelling larval stages that feed on plant roots and above-ground stages that feed on foliage. The species is found in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Phyllophaga prununculina: /ˌfɪloʊˈfeɪɡə ˌpruːˌnʌnˈkjulɪnə/
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Identification
-level identification within Phyllophaga is notoriously difficult and typically requires examination of male and female genitalia. No distinctive external morphological features distinguishing P. prununculina from other Phyllophaga species are documented in available sources.
Distribution
Southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States. Documented from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Similar Taxa
- Phyllophaga cribrosaBoth are flightless Phyllophaga with dark coloration, but P. cribrosa is distinguished by its oval convex shape, shining black coloration, cribrose (sieve-like) surface texture, 10-segmented , and distinct longitudinal elytral furrows. P. cribrosa is restricted to Oklahoma and Texas, whereas P. prununculina occurs further east.
- Other Phyllophaga speciesOver 400 exist in North America; most require genitalia examination for definitive identification. Many share similar general body plan and habits.