Sap-feeders
Guides
Cotinis
Green June Beetles
Cotinis is a genus of flower chafer scarab beetles in the subfamily Cetoniinae, distributed throughout North and South America. The genus was erected by Hermann Burmeister in 1842 and contains approximately 25 species. At least two species, C. nitida (Green June Beetle) and C. mutabilis (Fig Beetle), are recognized as common agricultural and garden pests. Members are characterized by their distinctive flight mechanism where hardened elytra remain closed while membranous hindwings extend for flight, producing a bee-like appearance and sound.
Dynastinae
Rhinoceros beetles, Hercules beetles, unicorn beetles, horn beetles
Dynastinae is a subfamily of Scarabaeidae containing over 1,500 species across 225 genera, commonly known as rhinoceros beetles. Members are characterized by prominent horns on males of most species, used in combat for mating access. The subfamily includes some of the largest beetles, with species reaching over 15 cm in length. Despite their formidable appearance, they are harmless to humans.
Dynastini
True Rhinoceros Beetles
Dynastini is a tribe of large scarab beetles commonly known as true rhinoceros beetles. The group includes some of the largest and most iconic beetles in the world, with males typically bearing prominent horns on the head and pronotum used in combat. Notable genera include Dynastes (Hercules beetles), Megasoma, and Golofa. Members are primarily tropical and subtropical in distribution, with some species reaching temperate regions of North America.
Monophlebidae
giant scales, monophlebids
Monophlebidae is a family of scale insects commonly known as giant scales or monophlebids. The family was first recognized as separate from Margarodidae by Maskell in 1880 based on morphological differences. Members are characterized by large body size among scale insects, with some species reaching 35 mm in length. The family is morphologically diverse but appears to be monophyletic. Many species are economically significant agricultural pests, particularly of woody plants including citrus.
Opomyzoidea
Opomyzoidea is a superfamily of Diptera comprising approximately 11 families with diverse ecological specializations. Member families exhibit varied lifestyles including leaf mining (Agromyzidae), stem feeding in grasses (Anthomyzidae, Opomyzidae), gall formation (Fergusonina), fungal feeding (some Anthomyzidae, Asteiidae), sap feeding on trees (some Aulacigastridae, Odiniidae, Periscelididae), association with wood-boring insect galleries (Odiniidae), and inhabitation of water-filled plant cavities called phytotelmata (Aulacigastridae, Neurochaetidae, Periscelididae). The phylogeny of this group remains controversial, with molecular studies indicating it may not be monophyletic.