Phyllophaga vetula
(Horn, 1887)
Old Man June Bug
Phyllophaga vetula is a scarab beetle in the Scarabaeidae, commonly known as the Old Man June Bug. The species occurs across the southwestern United States and throughout much of Mexico. Like other members of the Phyllophaga, it belongs to a large and taxonomically challenging group of beetles often referred to as May beetles or June bugs. The genus contains over 400 species in North America, many of which are difficult to distinguish without examination of genitalia.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Phyllophaga vetula: /ˌfɪloʊˈfeɪɡə ˈvɛtjʊlə/
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Identification
identification within Phyllophaga typically requires examination of male and female genitalia. No specific distinguishing external morphological features for P. vetula are documented in the available sources. The species is currently classified under Phyllophaga, though GBIF lists it as a synonym under Trichesthes vetula, indicating taxonomic uncertainty.
Images
Distribution
Recorded from the southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas) and widely across Mexico including Aguascalientes, Chihuahua, Distrito Federal, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, México, Michoacán, Morelos, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Puebla, Sinaloa, Sonora, and Veracruz.
Similar Taxa
- Phyllophaga cribrosaBoth are flightless Phyllophaga with dark coloration, but P. cribrosa is distinguished by its cribrose (sieve-like) elytral surface, oval convex shape, and distinct longitudinal elytral furrows, and is restricted to Oklahoma and Texas.
- Other Phyllophaga speciesOver 400 exist in North America; most require genitalia examination for reliable identification, and many share general May beetle/June bug and habits.