Rutelinae

MacLeay, 1819

Shining Leaf Chafers

Tribe Guides

2

is a diverse of scarab beetles comprising approximately 200 and over 4,000 described distributed worldwide. Members are commonly known as shining leaf chafers due to their frequently brilliant or iridescent coloration. The subfamily is characterized by that feed on leaves, flowers, and flower parts, while larvae develop in decaying wood, compost, or soil feeding on roots. Several species are economically significant pests, including the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica), which causes extensive damage to turf grasses and ornamental plants. The subfamily is divided into seven recognized tribes: Adoretini, Alvarengiini, Anatistini, Anomalini, Anoplognathini, Geniatini, and Rutelini.

Pseudocotalpa by (c) Bob Miller, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Bob Miller. Used under a CC-BY license.Pelidnota lugubris by (c) jimeckert49, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Rutela by no rights reserved, uploaded by Kahio Tiberio Mazon. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Rutelinae: /ruːtɛˈlaɪnaɪ/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Distribution

Worldwide distribution across most zoogeographical regions. In Ecuador, occupy ranging from sea level to high Andes elevations, with greatest diversity in tropical zones on both sides of the Andes, followed by subtropical and temperate zones. Notably absent from the Galápagos Islands. Specific documented localities include Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Vietnam, India, China, Laos, Madagascar, and Arunachal Pradesh (Northeast India).

Diet

feed on leaves, flowers, and flower parts. Larvae feed on decaying wood, compost, or roots. One documented exception: Leucothyreus suturalis larvae likely feed on nest structure rather than roots when inhabiting termite colonies.

Human Relevance

Several are serious agricultural and horticultural pests. The Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica), introduced to North America in 1916, damages turf grass roots as larvae and skeletonizes foliage of over 300 plant species as , with particular preference for grape and rose. Green June beetles (Cotinis nitida) occasionally damage ripe fruit and feed on fermenting tree sap. Control efforts for include introduction of the Tiphia vernalis and application of Bacillus popilliae (milky spore ), though these methods affect native scarab species as well.

Similar Taxa

  • Melolonthinae resemble Melolonthinae in being fairly plesiomorphic in outward appearance; both lack the pronounced ornamentation such as horns found in some other scarab
  • DynastinaeSome have historically been confused with Dynastinae; Peltonotus was long classified as intermediate between the two due to shared characteristics, though molecular evidence now supports distinct placement
  • Cetoniinae (flower chafers)Green June beetles (Cotinis nitida) and fig beetles (Cotinis mutabilis) are frequently misidentified as ; they are larger (15-27 mm vs. 8.9-11.8 mm), have a special wing hinge allowing to remain closed during , and lack the white hair tufts on abdominal flanks characteristic of

Sources and further reading