Pubescens-species-complex
Guides
Polyphylla starkae
Auburndale Scrub Scarab Beetle
Polyphylla starkae is a large scarab beetle endemic to Florida's Lake Wales Ridge, where it inhabits specialized scrub habitat. The species belongs to the pubescens species complex and exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: females are flightless with reddish-brown, fused elytra, while males are capable of flight and possess dark elytra with patchy light brown setae. The specific epithet honors collector Donna Stark, and the common name references Auburndale, Florida, near its restricted range.