Hopliini
Guides
Hoplia
monkey beetles
Hoplia is a genus of scarab beetles commonly known as monkey beetles, comprising at least 300 described species distributed across Asia, Europe, South Africa, Madagascar, and the Americas. The genus is notable for its diverse and often striking coloration strategies, including structural colors produced by nanostructured scales on the elytra. Several species exhibit remarkable optical properties, such as rapid reversible color change upon water exposure in H. argentea, or diffusive angle-independent structural coloration that may enhance camouflage. Adults of many species are associated with flowers, where they feed on pollen and nectar, while larvae typically develop in soil or plant roots. Some species have become significant agricultural or turf pests, including H. philanthus in Europe and H. spectabilis in western China.
Hoplia mucorea
Hoplia mucorea is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It has been recorded from multiple U.S. states (California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina) and Sonora, Mexico. The species belongs to the genus Hoplia, which comprises small to medium-sized scarab beetles often associated with flowers and vegetation.