Pheromone-mediated-mating
Guides
Peridroma saucia
Variegated Cutworm, Pearly Underwing, False Black Cutworm Moth
Peridroma saucia is a highly polyphagous noctuid moth with a nearly cosmopolitan distribution across temperate and subtropical regions. The species is a significant agricultural pest, with larvae feeding on numerous crop plants including vegetables, fruits, and field crops. Adults are migratory, moving northward in spring and returning south in autumn, with 2–4 generations per year depending on latitude. Recent research has documented its role as a nocturnal pollinator of apple and other crops, revealing ecological functions beyond its pest status.
Pleocoma
rain beetles
Pleocoma is the sole extant genus of Pleocomidae, a family endemic to the Pacific states of North America. These beetles are notable for their extreme subterranean lifestyle, with adults emerging only during fall and winter rains to mate. The genus name derives from Greek words for 'abundant hair,' referring to the dense ventral hair covering. Adults are non-feeding, while larvae are root-feeders with exceptionally long development periods of up to 13 years.
Scarabaeoidearain-beetlessubterraneannon-feeding-adultslong-lived-larvaepheromone-mediated-matingendemicNearcticrelictual-distributionCretaceous-originpest-of-Christmas-treeslamellate-antennaeflightless-femalesrain-triggered-emergenceCalifornia-faunaOregon-faunaWashington-faunaroot-feeding-larvaeextreme-seasonalitylight-attracted-malesPleocoma marquai
rain beetle
Pleocoma marquai is a species of rain beetle described by Hovore in 1972. It belongs to the family Pleocomidae, a small group of scarab beetles known for their emergence during autumn rains. The species is known from California and is one of approximately 30 species in the genus Pleocoma.
Polyphylla aeolus
Kelso Dunes June Beetle
Polyphylla aeolus is a sand dune specialist scarab beetle endemic to California's Kelso Dunes in the Mojave Desert. Described by La Rue in 1998, this species belongs to a genus noted for large-bodied beetles with males possessing greatly enlarged, fan-like antennae used to detect female sex pheromones. Like other Polyphylla species restricted to sand habitats, females are likely flightless and rarely encountered. The species epithet references Aeolus, the Roman king of the winds, perhaps alluding to the wind-dispersed nature of related taxa or the windy dune environment.
Polyphylla barbata
Mount Hermon June Beetle
Polyphylla barbata is a federally endangered scarab beetle endemic to a single restricted locality in the Zayante sandhills of Santa Cruz County, California. The species occupies less than 1,500 acres of habitat, making it one of the most geographically limited beetles in North America. Adults are active in mid-summer, with males flying at dusk to locate flightless females using pheromone-detecting antennae. The species faces severe habitat loss from sand mining and development, with over 40% of its sandhills habitat already destroyed.
Polyphylla comes
High Mountain June Beetle
Polyphylla comes is a large scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as the High Mountain June Beetle. It belongs to a genus noted for males with enlarged, fan-like antennae used to detect female sex pheromones. The species occurs in the southeastern United States. Like other Polyphylla species, it is primarily nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Polyphylla nubila
Atascadero June beetle
Polyphylla nubila, the Atascadero June beetle, is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is native to North America, with distribution records indicating presence in California, USA. The species belongs to the genus Polyphylla, a group commonly known as lined June beetles or ten-lined June beetles, characterized by males with enlarged, fan-like antennae used to detect female sex pheromones. Like other members of this genus, P. nubila is likely associated with sandy habitats and exhibits nocturnal activity patterns.
Polyphylla pubescens
Eglin Uplands Scarab Beetle
Polyphylla pubescens is a rare, endemic scarab beetle restricted to the upland habitats of Eglin Air Force Base and adjacent inland areas in the Florida panhandle. Adults are moderately sized for the genus, with males measuring 17.5–19 mm and females slightly larger at 19–20 mm. The species is distinguished from congeners by a strong lateral elytral margin that extends to the base. Like other members of the genus Polyphylla, males possess greatly enlarged, fan-like antennae used to detect female sex pheromones, while females are likely flightless and remain buried in sandy substrates. The species is part of the pubescens species group within Polyphylla.
Pseudexentera spoliana
bare-patched leafroller moth
Pseudexentera spoliana, commonly known as the bare-patched leafroller moth, is a tortricid moth species found in eastern North America. The species is an economically important defoliator of oak trees (Quercus spp.), with larvae feeding on oak foliage. Adult moths are small, with a wingspan of approximately 19 mm. Mating is mediated by a species-specific sex pheromone system, with males attracted to (Z)-10-hexadecenyl acetate (Z10-16:Ac).
Rheumaptera hastata
Spear-marked Black Moth, Argent and Sable Moth
Rheumaptera hastata is a day-flying geometrid moth with distinctive black and white coloration. It is widely distributed across the Holarctic region, with well-studied populations in interior Alaska. The species is univoltine, with adults active from early June to mid-July. Larvae are external leaf feeders with strong host preferences, particularly for paper birch.