Scarab-beetle
Guides
Lichnanthe apina
bumble bee scarab beetle
Lichnanthe apina is a scarab beetle in the family Glaphyridae, commonly called a bumble bee scarab beetle due to its resemblance to bumble bees. The species was described by Carlson in 1980 and is endemic to California, USA. Like other members of Glaphyridae, it likely exhibits Batesian mimicry of bumble bees as a defensive adaptation.
Lichnanthe rathvoni
bumble bee scarab beetle
Lichnanthe rathvoni is a species of scarab beetle in the family Glaphyridae, commonly referred to as a bumble bee scarab beetle. It was first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1863 under the basionym Dasydera rathvoni. The species is named in honor of Simon Rathvon, a 19th-century American entomologist. It is distributed in western North America, with records from California, Nevada, Oregon, and British Columbia.
Lichnanthe ursina
Bumblebee Scarab, Bumblebee Scarab Beetle
Lichnanthe ursina, commonly called the bumblebee scarab or bumblebee scarab beetle, is a species of scarab beetle in the family Glaphyridae. It is native to North America and has been recorded from California. The common name reflects its resemblance to bumblebees, a form of Batesian mimicry common in this family.
Ligyrus peninsularis
Ligyrus peninsularis is a scarab beetle in the subfamily Dynastinae (rhinoceros beetles), described by Casey in 1915. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Baja California region of Mexico. Like other members of the genus, it is likely associated with sandy or loose soil habitats where larvae develop. Adult activity patterns and specific ecological relationships remain poorly documented in published literature.
Listrochelus granti
Listrochelus granti is a scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, described by Saylor in 1940. The species belongs to the genus Listrochelus, a group of rhizotrogine chafers. It has been recorded from the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Listrochelus huachuca
Listrochelus huachuca is a scarab beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, described by Saylor in 1940. The species is named for the Huachuca Mountains of southeastern Arizona, where it has been collected. It belongs to a genus of rhizotrogine scarabs whose larvae typically develop in soil and feed on plant roots.
Listrochelus planeta
Listrochelus reinhardi
Listrochelus reinhardi is a species of scarab beetle described by Saylor in 1940. It belongs to the genus Listrochelus within the tribe Rhizotrogini, a group commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The species is known from limited observations in Texas, USA. As with other members of Rhizotrogini, it is presumed to have subterranean larval stages and adult emergence patterns typical of the group, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Listrochelus snowi
Listrochelus snowi is a scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae. The species was described by Saylor in 1940 and is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It belongs to a genus of scarabs commonly known as May beetles or June beetles, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Listrochelus texensis
Listrochelus texensis is a species of scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae, described by Saylor in 1940. It is known from southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. As a member of the Rhizotrogini tribe, it likely exhibits root-feeding habits in larval stages typical of related taxa, though specific ecological studies remain limited.
Macrodactylus subspinosus
American Rose Chafer, Rose Chafer
Macrodactylus subspinosus, commonly known as the American Rose Chafer, is a scarab beetle native to North America. It is a significant agricultural and horticultural pest that feeds on the foliage, flowers, and fruit of numerous plants, including roses, grapes, apples, and peaches. Adults emerge in late May to mid-June, live 3–6 weeks, and aggregate on host plants using plant volatiles to locate feeding sites. The species undergoes complete metamorphosis with larvae overwintering deep in soil and feeding on plant roots.
Maladera formosae
Asiatic garden beetle
Maladera formosae, the Asiatic garden beetle, is an invasive scarab beetle native to East Asia that was introduced to North America in 1921. It has become a significant agricultural pest, particularly in the Great Lakes region where it damages field corn, soybeans, and commercial mint. The species exhibits a univoltine life cycle with soil-dwelling larvae that feed on plant roots and nocturnal adults that consume foliage and flowers. Both life stages cause economically important damage, with larvae responsible for early-season crop losses and adults defoliating ornamental and crop plants.
Megasoma punctulatum
Arizona elephant beetle
Megasoma punctulatum, commonly known as the Arizona elephant beetle, is a species of rhinoceros beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is a member of the genus Megasoma, which includes some of the largest and heaviest beetles in the Americas. Like other members of its genus, this species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism, with males bearing prominent horns on the head and pronotum that are used in combat with other males. The species is found in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Myzininae
Myzininae is a subfamily of aculeate wasps within the family Thynnidae (formerly placed in Tiphiidae). The subfamily is best known through the genus Myzinum, which exhibits extreme sexual dimorphism. Females are robust, fossorial parasitoids of scarab beetle grubs, while males are slender, non-stinging, and frequently observed on flowers. Species in this subfamily are found primarily in the Nearctic region, with ten recognized species north of Mexico.
Myzinum frontalis
Myzinum frontalis is a species of thynnid wasp native to North America. Like other members of the genus, it is a parasitoid of scarab beetle grubs, particularly those in the genus Phyllophaga. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism, with males being slender with long, straight antennae and a prominent pseudostinger, while females are larger-bodied with robust abdoments, stouter legs, and short, coiled antennae. Adults are active in late summer and autumn, visiting flowers such as goldenrod and thoroughwort.
Myzinum quinquecinctum
five-banded thynnid wasp
Myzinum quinquecinctum is a species of thynnid wasp found primarily in eastern North America. Like other members of the genus Myzinum, it is a parasitoid of scarab beetle grubs, with females locating and paralyzing hosts underground to lay eggs. The species exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism: males are slender with long, straight antennae and a prominent pseudostinger, while females are larger and more robust with short, coiled antennae adapted for digging. Males are frequently observed visiting flowers such as goldenrod and thoroughwort, often in aggregations.
Nipponoserica peregrina
Nipponoserica peregrina is a scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. The species exhibits a disjunct distribution, occurring in Japan and in the eastern United States (Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Virginia, West Virginia, and Vermont). The North American population is considered introduced. The specific epithet 'peregrina' refers to its wandering or foreign nature, reflecting its transoceanic range.
Oncerus floralis
Oncerus floralis is a scarab beetle species described by LeConte in 1856. It belongs to the subfamily Oncerinae within Scarabaeidae. The species has been recorded from California in the United States and Baja California Sur in Mexico. Very little is known about its biology or ecology.
Onitis
Onitis is a genus of dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, tribe Onitini. The genus contains more than 140 species, primarily distributed across the Afrotropical, Palaearctic, and Oriental regions. All species are tunnelers that construct underground burrows beneath dung, bringing dung into these tunnels for egg-laying and larval development. The genus represents a significant component of dung beetle diversity in relatively arid regions of Africa and adjacent areas.
Onthophagus depressus
scarab beetle
Onthophagus depressus is a dung beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, originally described from Africa and now established in Australia and the southeastern United States as an introduced species. It belongs to a genus well-studied for sexual selection and horn polymorphism in males, though specific behavioral studies for this species are limited. The species has been recorded in carrion-associated beetle communities, suggesting broader feeding ecology than strict dung specialization.
Osmoderma scabra
Osmoderma scabra is a saproxylic scarab beetle species native to eastern North America. It belongs to the same genus as the European hermit beetle (Osmoderma eremita), which is protected under the EU Habitats Directive and has been extensively studied for conservation monitoring. Unlike its European congener, O. scabra has received limited research attention and is not listed under major conservation frameworks. The species develops in decaying wood and hollow trees, where larvae feed on wood mould for multiple years before emerging as short-lived adults.
Osmodermatini
Hermit Beetles
Osmodermatini is a tribe of scarab beetles within the subfamily Cetoniinae, commonly known as hermit beetles. The group includes the genus Osmoderma and related taxa, characterized by their association with decaying wood in mature forests. These beetles are of conservation concern in many regions due to habitat loss.
Oxyomoides sepultus
Oxyomoides sepultus is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It was described by Cartwright in 1944 and is known from a limited number of records in the south-central United States. The genus Oxyomoides is small and poorly studied, with most species remaining obscure in terms of biology and ecology.
Oxyomus
Oxyomus is a genus of aphodiine dung beetles established by Dejean in 1833. The genus comprises approximately 25 described species distributed across Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. Members of this genus are classified within the subfamily Aphodiinae, a group commonly known as lesser dung beetles.
Paracotalpa leonina
Paracotalpa leonina is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Rutelinae. It belongs to the genus Paracotalpa, which comprises several species of leaf chafer beetles distributed in western North America. The species is documented in iNaturalist with 42 observations, indicating it is encountered with moderate frequency by naturalists. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with vegetation and soil habitats typical of ruteline scarabs.
Paracotalpa ursina
little-bear scarab beetle, little bear
Paracotalpa ursina, commonly known as the little-bear scarab beetle or little bear, is a species of shining leaf chafer in the family Scarabaeidae. Adults range from 10 to 23 mm in length and display distinctive coloration with black, metallic blue, or metallic green head and thorax, and red-brown or black elytra. The species is distributed in the western United States and Mexico.
Pardalosus sayi
Pardalosus sayi is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. The species was described by Robert D. Gordon in 2006. It belongs to a genus of small dung beetles distributed in North America. Like other aphodiine scarabs, it is likely associated with dung decomposition, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Parochodaeus inarmatus
Parochodaeus inarmatus is a species of scarab beetle in the family Ochodaeidae, described by Schaeffer in 1906. Members of this family are commonly known as sand-loving scarab beetles due to their association with sandy habitats. The species occurs in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Parochodaeus pectoralis
Parochodaeus pectoralis is a species of sand-loving scarab beetle in the family Ochodaeidae, described by LeConte in 1868. It is endemic to the Nearctic region and has been documented across the south-central and southwestern United States. The species is part of a small family of beetles adapted to sandy habitats.
Pelidnota lugubris
shining leaf chafer
Pelidnota lugubris is a species of shining leaf chafer in the family Scarabaeidae. It belongs to a genus of large, often brightly colored scarab beetles commonly known as shining leaf chafers. The species was described by LeConte in 1874 and occurs in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Pelidnota punctata
Grapevine Beetle, Spotted June Beetle, Spotted Pelidnota
Pelidnota punctata is a scarab beetle in the subfamily Rutelinae, commonly known as the grapevine beetle or spotted June beetle. Adults are approximately 2.5–3 cm long with variable coloration ranging from off-yellow to auburn red, marked by four black spots on each side of the elytra. The species exhibits regional variation: northern populations typically have darker legs and more pronounced spotting, while southern populations may lack spots entirely and have lighter legs. It is distributed across eastern North America from Ontario to Florida and west to Texas and South Dakota.
Phanaeus quadridens
Phanaeus quadridens is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Scarabaeinae. It belongs to the genus Phanaeus, a group known for their role in dung burial and nutrient recycling. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Two subspecies are recognized: P. q. quadridens and P. q. borealis.
Phobetus mojavus
Phobetus mojavus is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Barrett in 1933. It belongs to the subfamily Melolonthinae (May beetles or June beetles) and the tribe Phobetusini. The species is known from California, with its specific epithet suggesting an association with the Mojave region.
Phobetus palpalis
Phobetus palpalis is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Melolonthinae, and tribe Phobetusini. Described by Saylor in 1936, this species is known from California in the western United States. The genus Phobetus belongs to a group of scarab beetles commonly referred to as May beetles or June beetles, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in published literature.
Phyllophaga anxia
Forest-ogre June Beetle, Cranberry White Grub, Common June Beetle
Phyllophaga anxia is a large scarab beetle native to North America, commonly known as the forest-ogre June beetle or cranberry white grub. Adults are nocturnal fliers active primarily in May and June, with males attracted to light during pre-copulatory flights. The species is a significant agricultural pest, with larvae feeding on roots of various host plants and adults feeding on foliage. It serves as host for multiple parasitoids including the American pelecinid wasp Pelecinus polyturator and several mite species.
Phyllophaga apicata
Phyllophaga apicata is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Reinhard in 1939. It belongs to the genus Phyllophaga, commonly known as May beetles or June beetles, which contains over 400 species in North America. Like other members of this genus, it is likely a root-feeding beetle with subterranean larval development, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Phyllophaga bipartita
Phyllophaga bipartita is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as May beetles or June bugs. It belongs to a large and taxonomically challenging genus with over 400 species in North America. The species was first described by Horn in 1887 under the basionym Lachnosterna bipartita.
Phyllophaga blanda
May beetle, June beetle
Phyllophaga blanda is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Sanderson in 1958. It belongs to the genus Phyllophaga, commonly known as May beetles or June beetles, a diverse group of soil-dwelling scarabs whose larvae feed on plant roots. The species is known from the Nearctic region, with records from Arizona, USA. Like other members of its genus, it likely exhibits the typical Phyllophaga life cycle with subterranean larval stages and adult emergence in spring or early summer.
Phyllophaga calceata
Phyllophaga calceata is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by LeConte in 1856 under the basionym Lachnosterna calceata. It belongs to the genus Phyllophaga, one of the most species-rich genera of beetles in North America with over 400 species. Like other members of this genus, it is commonly known as a May beetle or June beetle. The species is found in the southeastern United States.
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 crinita
Phyllophaga crinita is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, native to Central America. As a member of the genus Phyllophaga (commonly called May beetles or June beetles), its larvae are white grubs that develop in soil. The species was described by Burmeister in 1855.
Phyllophaga dentex
May beetle, June beetle
Phyllophaga dentex is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, one of over 400 species in the genus Phyllophaga found in North America. Like other May beetles, adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights. The species occurs in Mexico and the southwestern United States. Larvae develop as white grubs feeding on plant roots underground, while adults feed on foliage and flowers.
Phyllophaga ephilida
Phyllophaga ephilida is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It occurs in Central America and North America, with two recognized subspecies: P. ephilida ephilida and P. ephilida virilis. As a member of the genus Phyllophaga (May beetles), it belongs to a highly speciose group of scarabs whose larvae are root-feeding white grubs.
Phyllophaga forbesi
Phyllophaga forbesi is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Glasgow in 1916. It belongs to the genus Phyllophaga, commonly known as May or June beetles, which contains numerous species of soil-dwelling scarabs. The species is found in North America, with records from the south-central and southeastern United States.
Phyllophaga fraterna
Phyllophaga fraterna is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as a May beetle or June beetle. The species occurs in North America and was described by Harris in 1842. It belongs to one of the most species-rich genera of beetles in North America, with more than 400 species in the genus Phyllophaga. Two subspecies are recognized: P. fraterna fraterna and P. fraterna mississippiensis.
Phyllophaga georgiana
Phyllophaga georgiana is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Horn in 1885. It belongs to the genus Phyllophaga, commonly known as May beetles or June beetles, whose larvae are familiar white grubs that feed on plant roots. The species is found in the southeastern United States.
Phyllophaga glabricula
Phyllophaga glabricula is a scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by LeConte in 1856. It belongs to the genus Phyllophaga, commonly known as May beetles or June bugs, which contains over 400 species in North America. The species is found in Central America and North America, with records from the western and central United States and northern Mexico. Like other Phyllophaga species, adults are likely nocturnal and attracted to lights, while larvae are soil-dwelling white grubs that feed on plant roots.
Phyllophaga gracilis
gracilis May/June beetle
Phyllophaga gracilis is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Burmeister in 1855. It belongs to the large genus Phyllophaga, commonly known as May beetles or June bugs, which contains numerous species often difficult to distinguish without close examination. The species is found in North America, with records from Ontario, Canada. Like other members of its genus, it likely has a subterranean larval stage and adult emergence timed to spring or early summer.
Phyllophaga hirticula
Phyllophaga hirticula is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, one of over 400 species in the genus Phyllophaga found in North America. The species was originally described as Melolontha hirticula by Knoch in 1801. Two subspecies are recognized: P. h. hirticula and P. h. comosa. Like other May beetles, it is part of a large and taxonomically challenging genus where species identification often requires examination of genitalia.
Phyllophaga hirtiventris
Phyllophaga hirtiventris is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It belongs to the genus Phyllophaga, commonly known as May beetles or June beetles, which contains over 400 species in North America. Like other members of this large genus, it is a soil-dwelling beetle with larvae that feed on plant roots. The specific epithet "hirtiventris" refers to hairy ventral characteristics. Species-level details for P. hirtiventris remain poorly documented in published literature.