Melolonthinae
Guides
Acoma arizonica
Acoma arizonica is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Brown in 1929. Adults measure 4.7–7.6 mm in length. The species is known only from Arizona in the southwestern United States, where it occurs in arid and semi-arid habitats.
Acoma conjuncta
Acoma conjuncta is a species of scarab beetle described by Howden in 1962. It belongs to the subfamily Melolonthinae, a group commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The species has been documented only from Texas, USA, suggesting a restricted geographic range. As a member of the genus Acoma, it is part of a small group of scarab beetles primarily distributed in western North America.
Acoma diminiata
Acoma diminiata is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Howden in 1958. It is known from New Mexico in the southwestern United States. Adults measure 4.3–5.7 mm in length. The species belongs to the subfamily Melolonthinae and tribe Acomini.
Acoma glabrata
Acoma glabrata is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Cazier in 1953. It is known from the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Adults measure 5.5–8.3 mm in length. The species belongs to the tribe Acomini within the subfamily Melolonthinae.
Acoma mixta
Acoma mixta is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Howden in 1958. Adults measure 4.8–7.5 mm in length. The species is documented from Arizona, USA, though field observations suggest it may also occur in adjacent areas of New Mexico. Like other members of the genus Acoma, it is a dung-associated beetle, though specific ecological details remain limited.
Acomini
Acomini is a tribe of scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) established by Evans & Smith in 2020. The tribe is known from limited observations, with iNaturalist documenting only 10 records. As a recently described taxonomic group, its constituent genera and species remain poorly documented in public sources.
Amblonoxia
dusty June beetles
Amblonoxia is a genus of dusty June beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, established by Reitter in 1902. The genus contains six described species distributed in the Nearctic region. These beetles belong to the subfamily Melolonthinae, a group commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. Members are characterized by their dusty or dull appearance, reflecting the common name.
Amblonoxia fieldi
Amblonoxia fieldi is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It was described by Fall in 1908. The species belongs to the subfamily Melolonthinae, commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. Very little specific information is available about this particular species in the published literature.
Amblonoxia harfordi
Amblonoxia harfordi is a scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. It is endemic to California and belongs to a genus of flightless, soil-dwelling beetles. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with most records coming from citizen science observations. It is active during spring and early summer.
Amphimallon majale
European chafer
A scarab beetle native to continental Europe, now invasive in temperate North America where it is commonly called a June bug. The large, white larvae (grubs) feed on grass roots and are significant pests of lawns and turfgrass. Adults are short-lived and primarily reproductive. The species has been introduced to Canada and the United States, where it lacks natural population controls.
Ardella
Ardella is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, established by Paulsen in 2021. It is the type genus of the tribe Ardellini, a recently recognized lineage within the scarab beetles. The genus is known from the Nearctic region. As a newly described genus, detailed biological information remains limited.
Chnaunanthus chapini
Chnaunanthus chapini is a species of scarab beetle described by Saylor in 1937. It belongs to the subfamily Melolonthinae, commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The species is known from limited records in California, USA. Very few observations of this species have been documented.
Chnaunanthus flavipennis
Chnaunanthus flavipennis is a scarab beetle in the tribe Chnaunanthini, first described by George Henry Horn in 1867. The species is known from arid regions of the southwestern United States, specifically Arizona and Utah. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with dry habitats. The specific epithet 'flavipennis' refers to yellowish wing coloration.
Coenonycha
May beetles, Junebugs
Coenonycha is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as May beetles or Junebugs. The genus contains more than 30 described species. Members of this genus are classified within the subfamily Melolonthinae and tribe Dichelonychini.
Coenonycha hageni
Coenonycha hageni is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Cazier in 1943. It is known from the Nearctic region, specifically recorded from California, USA. The genus Coenonycha belongs to the tribe Dichelonychini within the subfamily Melolonthinae. Information regarding its biology, ecology, and detailed morphology remains limited in published literature.
Coenonycha inaja
Coenonycha inaja is a scarab beetle species described in 2022 from California. It belongs to the genus Coenonycha, a group of melolonthine scarabs endemic to western North America. The species is known from a single observation record, reflecting its recent description and likely limited survey effort.
Coenonycha lurida
Coenonycha lurida is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Cazier in 1943. It is native to western North America, with records from California (USA) and Baja California (Mexico). The genus Coenonycha belongs to the tribe Dichelonychini within the subfamily Melolonthinae, a group commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. Very little specific biological information has been published for this particular species.
Dichelonyx albicollis
White-collared Chafer
Dichelonyx albicollis is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae. It occurs across eastern North America, with records from Canada and the United States. The species is commonly known as the White-collared Chafer.
Dichelonyx backii
green pine chafer, green rose chafer
Dichelonyx backii, commonly known as the green pine chafer or green rose chafer, is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It belongs to the subfamily Melolonthinae and tribe Dichelonychini. The species has been documented across North America and is frequently observed on iNaturalist with over 600 records.
Dichelonyx canadensis
May beetle, junebug
Dichelonyx canadensis is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae, commonly referred to as a May beetle or junebug. The species occurs in North America, with documented records from Canada (Labrador, Ontario, Quebec) and the United States (South Dakota, Wisconsin). As a member of the genus Dichelonyx, it belongs to a group of beetles whose larvae typically develop in soil and feed on plant roots.
Dichelonyx diluta
Dichelonyx diluta is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Fall in 1901. It is a small scarab belonging to the tribe Dichelonychini, a group commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The species is distributed across northeastern North America, with records from both the United States and Canada.
Dichelonyx fulgida
Dichelonyx fulgida is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae, tribe Dichelonychini. Described by LeConte in 1856, this species belongs to a genus of North American May beetles. The genus Dichelonyx comprises approximately 20 species distributed primarily in western and central North America. Like other members of the tribe Dichelonychini, adults are typically active in spring and are attracted to lights. Larvae develop in soil, feeding on roots of various plants.
Dichelonyx fuscula
Dichelonyx fuscula is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1856. It belongs to the tribe Dichelonychini within the subfamily Melolonthinae, a group commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The species is distributed across eastern and central North America, with records from the eastern United States extending westward to Colorado.
Dichelonyx pusilla
Dichelonyx pusilla is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. The species is known to occur in Central America and North America. It belongs to the subfamily Melolonthinae, a group commonly referred to as May beetles or June bugs. The genus Dichelonyx is characterized by distinctive morphological features including cleft or split claws, a trait reflected in its name (from Greek 'dicha' meaning in two and 'onyx' meaning claw).
Dichelonyx sulcata
Dichelonyx sulcata is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, tribe Dichelonychini. The species was described by LeConte in 1856 and is native to North America. Very little specific biological information is documented for this species. A single observation from southwestern Utah in September notes a tiny Dichelonyx-like scarab captured in a yellow bottle trap in sand dune habitat adjacent to Ponderosa pine woodlands.
Dichelonyx truncata
Dichelonyx truncata is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae, tribe Dichelonychini. It is native to western North America, with records from the western United States and southwestern Canada. The species was described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1856. Like other members of its genus, it is associated with open, often xeric habitats in the interior west.
Dichelonyx vaga
Dichelonyx vaga is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is known from western North America, with records from California and Nevada. The species belongs to the tribe Dichelonychini within the subfamily Melolonthinae.
Dichelonyx valida
Dichelonyx valida is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It was described by LeConte in 1856. The species is known from western North America, with confirmed records from California and Oregon.
Dichelonyx vicina
Dichelonyx vicina is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. The species is known to occur in North America. Two subspecies are recognized: Dichelonyx vicina columbiana Hopping, 1931 and Dichelonyx vicina vicina. Beyond this basic taxonomic information, detailed biological and ecological data for this species remain limited in the available literature.
Dinacoma marginata
Dinacoma marginata is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, originally described as Thyce marginata by Casey in 1886. It is currently classified in the genus Dinacoma within the tribe Melolonthini. The species is known from California, USA, with records indicating presence in the Nearctic region. Very little detailed biological information has been published for this species.
Diplotaxis abnormis
Diplotaxis abnormis is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The species was described by Fall in 1909 and belongs to the tribe Diplotaxini. It is distributed in the southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico) and northern Mexico (Chihuahua, Sonora). Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, it is likely a nocturnal species that congregates on vegetation to detect pheromone trails for mate location.
Diplotaxis arizonica
Diplotaxis arizonica is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, and tribe Diplotaxini. It was described by Schaeffer in 1907. The species is known from Arizona, USA, within the Nearctic region. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, it is likely a chafer beetle with larvae that develop in soil, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Diplotaxis beyeri
Diplotaxis beyeri is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, and tribe Diplotaxini. The species was described by Schaeffer in 1907. It occurs in the southwestern United States and northeastern Mexico. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, adults are typically nocturnal and may be found on low vegetation.
Diplotaxis bidentata
Diplotaxis bidentata is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is found in North America. The species is a small chafer that has been observed congregating on low vegetation, apparently to detect pheromone trails in search of mates.
Diplotaxis blanchardi
Diplotaxis blanchardi is a small scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae, described by Vaurie in 1956. The species is known from scattered records across the central and eastern United States. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, adults are nocturnal and frequently attracted to lights. The species has been documented in sand dune habitats and grassland environments.
Diplotaxis brachyptera
A small scarab beetle in the genus Diplotaxis, family Scarabaeidae, described by Patricia Vaurie in 1960. The species name 'brachyptera' (short-winged) suggests reduced flight capability. Records indicate presence in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Like other Diplotaxis species, adults are likely nocturnal and may aggregate on vegetation.
Diplotaxis brevisetosa
Diplotaxis brevisetosa is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, tribe Diplotaxini, described by Linell in 1897. It is a small chafer beetle occurring in the Nearctic region, specifically known from Texas. Like other members of its genus, it is attracted to lights at night and has been observed congregating on low vegetation. The specific epithet 'brevisetosa' refers to short setae (bristles), a distinctive morphological feature of this species.
Diplotaxis fimbriata
May beetle, junebug
Diplotaxis fimbriata is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly referred to as a May beetle or junebug. The species was described by Fall in 1909 and occurs in the western Nearctic region. It is found in California (USA) and Baja California (Mexico), representing a relatively restricted geographic range within the genus Diplotaxis. Like other members of the tribe Diplotaxini, adults are likely nocturnal and attracted to light sources.
Diplotaxis fissilabris
A small scarab beetle in the genus Diplotaxis, first described by Fall in 1909. Members of this genus are commonly known as chafers and are typically nocturnal, attracted to lights. The specific epithet "fissilabris" refers to a cleft or split lip, likely describing a distinctive labral feature. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Diplotaxis frondicola
May beetle, junebug
Diplotaxis frondicola is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae, commonly known as a May beetle or junebug. It belongs to a large genus of small chafers distributed across North America. The species was first described by Thomas Say in 1825. Like other Diplotaxis species, adults are typically attracted to lights at night and are often observed on vegetation.
Diplotaxis harperi
Diplotaxis harperi is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Blanchard in 1851. It belongs to the subfamily Melolonthinae, commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The species is distributed across North America, with records from numerous U.S. states spanning from the Atlantic coast to the Great Plains and Southwest. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, it is likely nocturnally active and associated with vegetation.
Diplotaxis haydenii
Diplotaxis haydenii is a small scarab beetle (family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae) in the tribe Diplotaxini. The genus Diplotaxis comprises small chafers, and D. haydenii is one of approximately 200 species in this primarily New World genus. It is known from western North America, with records from the Rocky Mountain region and adjacent areas. Like other Diplotaxis species, adults are attracted to lights at night and have been observed congregating on low vegetation.
Diplotaxis muricata
Diplotaxis muricata is a small scarab beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The genus Diplotaxis comprises chafers—small to medium-sized scarabs often attracted to lights at night. The species was described by Schaeffer in 1907 and is known from the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. Like other Diplotaxis species, adults are likely nocturnal and may be found on low vegetation.
Diplotaxis puberula
Downy Diplotaxis
Diplotaxis puberula is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by LeConte in 1863. It is distributed across parts of North and Central America, with records from Texas in the United States and the Mexican states of Nuevo León and Tamaulipas. The species belongs to the chafers (Melolonthinae), a diverse subfamily whose larvae typically develop in soil and feed on roots.
Diplotaxis pumila
Diplotaxis pumila is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, described by Fall in 1909. It belongs to the genus Diplotaxis, a group of chafers known for their nocturnal aggregation behavior on vegetation where males intercept female pheromone trails. The species is documented from the southwestern United States, particularly Arizona. Like other members of its genus, it is likely attracted to lights at night and may be active during summer months following rainfall events.
Diplotaxis rex
King Ranch Diplotaxis
Diplotaxis rex is a species of scarab beetle described by Vaurie in 1958. It belongs to the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, and tribe Diplotaxini. The species is native to North America, with documented occurrence in Texas. Like other members of the genus Diplotaxis, it is a small chafer beetle. The common name "King Ranch Diplotaxis" suggests an association with the historic King Ranch region of southern Texas.
Diplotaxis rudis
Diplotaxis rudis is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by LeConte in 1859. It belongs to the subfamily Melolonthinae and tribe Diplotaxini. The species is found in North America, with records from Kansas, North Dakota, and Texas. Very little specific information about its biology or ecology has been documented in the available literature.
Diplotaxis rufa
Rufous Scarab Beetle
Diplotaxis rufa is a scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The species was described by Linell in 1896. Records indicate presence in the southeastern United States, specifically Florida and Georgia. As a member of the genus Diplotaxis, it belongs to a group commonly known as May beetles or June beetles, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
ScarabaeidaeMelolonthinaeColeopteraNearcticUSAFloridaGeorgia1896-descriptionLinellDiplotaxiniscarab-beetleMay-beetleJune-beetleLinell-1896Diplotaxis-rufa-Linell-1896scarabbeetleinsectarthropodanimalscarabaeoidpolyphagastaphyliniformiascarabaeoideadiplotaxisrufarufoussoutheastern-United-Statessoutheast-USNorth-AmericaNearctic-regionDiplotaxis rufiola
A small scarab beetle species in the genus Diplotaxis, described by Fall in 1909. It belongs to the tribe Diplotaxini within the subfamily Melolonthinae. The species has been documented across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Diplotaxis simplex
Diplotaxis simplex is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, and tribe Diplotaxini. It was described by Blanchard in 1851. The species is known to occur in Central America and North America. Very little detailed biological information has been published for this species.