Root-feeding-larvae
Guides
Diabrotica undecimpunctata undecimpunctata
Western Spotted Cucumber Beetle
The western spotted cucumber beetle is a polyphagous leaf beetle native to western North America. It is a significant agricultural pest of cucurbits, snap beans, corn, and other crops, with larvae feeding on roots and adults feeding on foliage, flowers, and fruit. Unlike the eastern subspecies, it does not vector bacterial wilt in cucurbits. Adults are strong fliers and readily disperse between fields.
Hepialidae
Ghost moths, Swift moths
Hepialidae, commonly known as ghost moths or swift moths, comprise approximately 700 species in 82 genera and represent the most diverse family of the infraorder Exoporia. These moths exhibit numerous ancestral characteristics, including very short antennae, absence of a functional proboscis, and homoneurous wing structure with similar forewings and hindwings. Species range dramatically in size from small moths to a record wingspan of 250 mm in Zelotypia. The family shows highest diversity in ancient landmasses, particularly Australia, South Africa, and Chile, reflecting their Gondwanan origins. Many species display pronounced sexual dimorphism, with males typically smaller but more boldly marked than females.
Inopus rubriceps
Sugarcane soldier fly, Australian soldier fly
Inopus rubriceps is a soldier fly (Stratiomyidae) native to subtropical eastern Australia, where it has a long evolutionary history in Southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales. The species has been introduced to New Zealand (first recorded 1944) and California, where it establishes in warm, moist climates. Larvae develop in soil around plant roots, with a life cycle typically spanning 24 months but occasionally completing in 12 months. The species is an agricultural pest of sugarcane, pasture, oats, and maize, though not considered major.
Myllocerus
oriental broad-nosed weevils, ash weevils, grey weevils, Sri Lankan weevils
Myllocerus is a large genus of oriental broad-nosed weevils in the family Curculionidae, comprising at least 330 described species. Species within this genus are predominantly distributed across the Indian subcontinent and surrounding regions, with several species recognized as significant agricultural pests. Notable pest species include Myllocerus undecimpustulatus undatus (Sri Lankan weevil), M. maculosus (cotton grey weevil), and M. viridanus (ash weevil), which attack diverse crop plants including cereals, legumes, vegetables, and fruit trees. The genus exhibits typical weevil morphology with broad rostrums and root-feeding larval stages combined with foliage-feeding adults.
Phyllobius
Phyllobius is a genus of broad-nosed weevils (Curculionidae: Entiminae) containing at least 60 described species, with many distributed across Europe. Adults are primarily folivorous, feeding on leaves of broadleaved trees and occasionally causing defoliation damage in young woodlands. Larvae develop in soil, feeding on grass roots. Some species have been introduced outside their native ranges and established as nonindigenous populations in northern hardwood forests.
Phyllophaga crassissima
May beetle
Phyllophaga crassissima is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as a May beetle. It is native to North America with documented occurrence across the central and eastern United States. Like other members of the genus Phyllophaga, it is a nocturnal beetle with subterranean larval stages that feed on plant roots. The species was originally described by Blanchard in 1851 under the name Ancylonycha crassissima.
Phyllophaga curialis
May beetle, June beetle
Phyllophaga curialis is a species of scarab beetle in the genus Phyllophaga, commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The species was described by Reinhard in 1939 and is known from Texas in the southern United States. Like other members of this large genus, the larvae are soil-dwelling root feeders while adults feed on foliage and flowers. The genus Phyllophaga contains over 400 species in North America, many of which are economically significant agricultural pests.
Phyllophaga ignava
May beetle, June beetle
Phyllophaga ignava is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is found in Central America and North America. As a member of the genus Phyllophaga, commonly known as May beetles or June beetles, it shares the typical characteristics of the group including nocturnal adults and root-feeding larvae.
Phyllophaga obsoleta
May beetle, June beetle
Phyllophaga obsoleta is a scarab beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, found across the Americas from North America through Central America to South America. It is an agricultural pest in some regions, with larvae feeding on plant roots. The species was first reported in Colombia in 2017, where it has been documented in agricultural ecosystems of the Eastern Antioquia region.
Phyllophaga prununculina
Phyllophaga prununculina is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as a May beetle or June beetle. It belongs to a large genus of over 400 North American species. Like other members of Phyllophaga, it has a life cycle involving soil-dwelling larval stages that feed on plant roots and above-ground adult stages that feed on foliage. The species is found in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States.
Phyllophaga quercus
Phyllophaga quercus is a species of May beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, native to the eastern and central United States. Like other members of the genus Phyllophaga, it is a soil-dwelling scarab with larvae that feed on plant roots. The species name 'quercus' (Latin for oak) suggests a potential association with oak trees, though specific ecological relationships remain poorly documented. Adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights. The species occurs across a broad geographic range from the Atlantic coastal states westward to Texas and Oklahoma.
Phyllophaga tusa
Phyllophaga tusa is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by George Henry Horn in 1887. It belongs to the genus Phyllophaga, a large and taxonomically challenging group of North American scarab beetles commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The species is recorded from the Nearctic region, specifically Texas in the United States. Like other members of its genus, adults are likely nocturnal and attracted to lights, with larvae developing as soil-dwelling root-feeders.
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 hirticollis
rain beetle
Pleocoma hirticollis is a species of rain beetle in the family Pleocomidae, a group of scarab beetles endemic to western North America. The species is active during autumn and winter rains, emerging only when soil is saturated. Three subspecies are recognized: P. h. hirticollis, P. h. reflexa, and P. h. vandykei. Like other Pleocomidae, adults are sexually dimorphic and do not feed.
Syneta albida
western fruit beetle
A small leaf beetle in the subfamily Synetinae, found in western North America. Adults feed on foliage of deciduous fruit trees and ornamentals, while larvae develop in soil feeding on roots. The species is considered a minor pest of orchards and gardens.
Tetraopes
Milkweed Longhorn Beetles
Tetraopes is a genus of specialized longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae) distributed from Guatemala to Canada. The genus is defined by extreme host specificity to milkweeds (Asclepias and related genera in Apocynaceae), with larvae feeding on roots and adults feeding on leaves and flowers. All species exhibit aposematic red-and-black coloration advertising their sequestration of cardiac glycosides from host plants. The eyes are completely divided by antennal insertions, giving rise to both the scientific name ("four eyes") and common name "four-eyed milkweed beetle" for some species. The genus represents a classic example of coevolutionary radiation with its host plants.