Scarabaeidae
Guides
Phyllophaga lenis
Phyllophaga lenis is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is currently treated as a synonym of Trichesthes lenis in some taxonomic databases. The species is distributed across the southwestern United States and Mexico, extending into Central America. Like other members of the genus Phyllophaga, it belongs to the group commonly known as May beetles or June beetles, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Phyllophaga longispina
May beetle, June beetle
Phyllophaga longispina is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Smith in 1889. It belongs to the genus Phyllophaga, commonly known as May beetles or June beetles, which contains over 400 species in North America. The species is distributed across eastern North America, with records from the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. Like other members of the genus, adults are nocturnal and attracted to lights, while larvae are soil-dwelling white grubs that feed on plant roots.
Phyllophaga longitarsa
May beetle, Junebug
Phyllophaga longitarsa is a species of scarab beetle in the genus Phyllophaga, commonly known as May beetles or Junebugs. The species was described by Thomas Say in 1824 and is native to North America. Like other members of the genus, it likely exhibits a subterranean larval stage feeding on plant roots and an adult stage that emerges in spring or early summer. The genus Phyllophaga is one of the most species-rich scarab genera in North America, with over 400 species, and species-level identification often requires examination of genitalia.
Phyllophaga obsoleta vanelleri
Phyllophaga obsoleta vanelleri is a subspecies of May beetle within the scarab genus Phyllophaga. The genus Phyllophaga comprises scarab beetle larvae commonly known as 'white grubs,' which are significant agricultural and horticultural pests. This subspecies is part of a complex of Phyllophaga species that serve as hosts for parasitoid wasps including Pelecinus polyturator and Myzinum species.
Phyllophaga pleroma
Phyllophaga pleroma is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is one of over 400 species in the genus Phyllophaga, a large and taxonomically challenging group of North American scarab beetles commonly known as May beetles or June bugs. The species was described by Reinhard in 1940 and is currently known from Texas. Like other members of the genus, it is likely nocturnal and attracted to lights, with larvae developing as soil-dwelling root-feeders.
Phyllophaga prunina
May beetle, June beetle
Phyllophaga prunina is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as a May beetle or June beetle. It belongs to one of the most species-rich genera of beetles in North America, with over 400 species. Like other members of the genus, it is likely nocturnal and attracted to lights, with larvae developing as white grubs in soil feeding on plant roots. The species is found across a broad swath of the central and eastern United States.
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 psiloptera
Phyllophaga psiloptera is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Sanderson in 1939. It belongs to the genus Phyllophaga, a large group of beetles commonly known as May beetles or June beetles. The species has been documented in Texas, USA, within the Nearctic region. Like other members of Phyllophaga, it is presumed to have a subterranean larval stage and aerial adult stage, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
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 renodis
Phyllophaga renodis is a species of scarab beetle in the genus Phyllophaga, commonly known as May beetles or June bugs. The genus Phyllophaga is one of the most species-rich genera in North America, with over 400 species. Species-level identification within this genus is notoriously difficult and typically requires examination of male and female genitalia. P. renodis is documented from Texas in the Nearctic region. Like other members of the genus, it likely has a subterranean larval stage feeding on plant roots and above-ground adults that feed on foliage.
Phyllophaga rolstoni
Phyllophaga rolstoni is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Riley and Wolfe in 1995. Like other members of the genus Phyllophaga (May beetles), it is part of a large and taxonomically challenging group of scarab beetles with over 400 species in North America. The species is known from Texas within the Nearctic region.
Phyllophaga rossi
Phyllophaga rossi is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Saylor in 1939. It belongs to the genus Phyllophaga, commonly known as May or June beetles, a large group of soil-dwelling scarabs whose larvae feed on plant roots. The species is recorded from Arizona, USA, within the Nearctic region. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to have a subterranean larval stage and aerial adult stage, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Phyllophaga rubricosa
Phyllophaga rubricosa is a species of May beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Reinhard in 1939. Like other members of the genus Phyllophaga, it is likely a root-feeding scarab beetle with larvae that develop in soil. The species is known from Texas, USA. Information specific to this species is sparse; most knowledge about Phyllophaga rubricosa must be inferred from the genus level.
Phyllophaga rugosa
rugose June beetle
Phyllophaga rugosa, commonly known as the rugose June beetle, is a scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It occurs across much of North America, with documented records from Canada and the United States. Like other members of the genus Phyllophaga, it is a nocturnal beetle often attracted to lights. The species has been identified as an intermediary host for the giant thorn-headed worm of swine (Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus).
Phyllophaga schaefferi
Phyllophaga schaefferi is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Saylor in 1937. It belongs to the genus Phyllophaga, commonly known as May beetles or June beetles, which contains over 400 species in North America. The species is found in the southeastern United States, specifically recorded from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana. Like other members of the genus, adults are likely nocturnal and attracted to lights, with larvae developing as soil-dwelling root-feeders.
Phyllophaga scitula
Phyllophaga scitula is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. The species is known from North America, with confirmed records from Texas. As a member of the genus Phyllophaga, it belongs to a large group commonly referred to as May beetles or June beetles, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Phyllophaga sonora
Phyllophaga sonora is a species of scarab beetle described by Saylor in 1939. It belongs to the genus Phyllophaga, a large group commonly known as May beetles or June bugs. The species has been documented in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to have subterranean larval stages and adult emergence patterns tied to seasonal rainfall, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Phyllophaga squamipilosa
Phyllophaga squamipilosa 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 described by Saylor in 1936. Like other members of this large genus, it is commonly referred to as a May beetle or June beetle. Very little specific information has been published about this particular species.
Phyllophaga subtonsa
May beetle, June beetle
Phyllophaga subtonsa is a species of May beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. Like other members of the genus, it is characterized by nocturnal adult activity and larval development as white grubs in soil, feeding on plant roots. The species is found in the eastern and central United States. Adults are attracted to lights and are most active during late spring and early summer. The genus Phyllophaga is one of the most species-rich in North America, with over 400 species, making species-level identification often difficult without examination of genitalia.
Phyllophaga sylvatica
Phyllophaga sylvatica is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Sanderson in 1942. Like other members of the genus Phyllophaga (commonly called May/June beetles), this species is likely nocturnal and attracted to lights. The species epithet "sylvatica" suggests an association with woodland or forest habitats. Based on distribution records, it occurs across a broad swath of the central and eastern United States.
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.
Phyllophaga vehemens
Phyllophaga vehemens is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as a May beetle or June beetle. It occurs in North America, with documented records from multiple U.S. states across the Midwest and South. The species has been identified as an intermediary host for the giant thorn-headed worm of swine (Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus), an acanthocephalan parasite. As with other Phyllophaga species, adults are likely nocturnal and attracted to lights.
Phyllophaga vetula
Old Man June Bug
Phyllophaga vetula is a scarab beetle species in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as the Old Man June Bug. The species occurs across the southwestern United States and throughout much of Mexico. Like other members of the genus Phyllophaga, it belongs to a large and taxonomically challenging group of beetles often referred to as May beetles or June bugs. The genus contains over 400 species in North America, many of which are difficult to distinguish without examination of genitalia.
Phyllophaga vexata
May beetle
Phyllophaga vexata is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. The species was originally described by Horn in 1885. Two subspecies are recognized: Phyllophaga vexata unituberculata (Bates, 1889) and the nominotypical subspecies Phyllophaga vexata vexata. The genus Phyllophaga comprises over 400 species in North America, making it one of the most species-rich genera in the region. Species-level identification within this genus typically requires examination of male and female genitalia.
Plagiostira albonotata
white-marked shieldback
Plagiostira albonotata, commonly known as the white-marked shieldback, is a species of shield-backed katydid in the family Tettigoniidae. It is a large, robust katydid found in arid regions of the southwestern United States. The species is characterized by distinctive white markings on its body. Observations indicate activity during summer months in desert and semi-desert habitats.
shield-backed-katydidOrthopteraTettigoniidaedesertsouthwestern-United-Statesnocturnalbrachypterouskatydidinsectarid-habitatyucca-associationsummer-activitywhite-markingslarge-body-sizePlagiostiriniTettigoniinaeNew-MexicoArizonaUtahwest-Texassand-dunesdesert-scrubcrepuscularlimited-flightScudder-1876Plagiostira-albonotatawhite-marked-shieldbackEnsiferaTettigoniideaTettigonioideaHexapodaArthropodaInsectaAnimaliaEukaryotaMetazoagrasshoppers,-crickets-&-katydidsPlagiostira28-observationsiNaturalistGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeNCBI-TaxonomyWikipediaBeetles-In-The-Bush2018-New-Mexico/Texas-Insect-Collecting-TripTed-C.-MacRaeJeff-HuetherJune-2–9,-2018southeastern-New-MexicoMescalero-Sand-DunesKermit,-TexasHwy-380San-AntonioBinghamSandia-MountainsWalking-Sands-Rest-AreaValley-of-Fire-National-Recreation-AreaSierra-Blanca-MountainsSunset,-New-MexicoHobbs,-New-MexicoKermit-Sand-DunesI-10-Rest-AreaFabens,-TexasCarlsbad,-New-MexicoLoco-Hills,-New-MexicoCarrizozo,-New-MexicoBingham,-New-MexicoSocorro,-New-MexicoThe-BoxyuccaProsopis-glandulosamesquiteOpuntia-imbricatachollaJuniperus-monospermajuniperSapindus-drummondiisoapberryAcacia-greggiicatclaw-acaciaAcacia-rigidablack-acaciaThelespermaDaleaPenstemonRobiniaCeltisGaillardiaOenetheraBaccharisSphaeralceaEphedraCacamacactus-dodger-cicadaTragidion-armatumPrionus-arenariusPrionus-palparisPrionus-integerPolyphyllaMoneilemacactus-beetleGyascutusAcmaeoderaChrysobothrisAgrilusEnoclerusActenodesParatyndarisAcmaeoderopsisBrachysNeoclytusCleridaeCerambycidaeBuprestidaeScarabaeidaeCarabidaeTenebrionidaeMeloidaeCoreidaePompilidaetarantula-hawkCicindelidaeCylindera-lemniscatatiger-beetleLycaenidaeBrephidium-exiliswestern-pygmy-blueEchinargus-isolaReakirt's-blueshieldbackdesert-insectnocturnal-insectbrachypterous-insectsummer-insectarid-land-insectyucca-associated-insectNew-Mexico-insectArizona-insectUtah-insectTexas-insectsouthwestern-US-insectNorth-American-insectNearctic-insectTettigoniidae-insectOrthoptera-insectEnsifera-insectTettigoniinae-insectPlagiostirini-insectPlagiostira-insectP.-albonotatawhite-marked-shieldback-katydidgiant-katydidlarge-katydiddesert-katydidsand-dune-katydidyucca-katydidnocturnal-katydidbrachypterous-katydidsummer-katydidScudder's-katydid1876-katydidOrthopterankatydid-speciesshieldback-speciesTettigoniidae-speciesPlagiostira-speciesdesert-speciesarid-speciesnocturnal-speciesbrachypterous-speciessummer-speciesNew-Mexico-speciesArizona-speciesUtah-speciesTexas-speciessouthwestern-US-speciesNorth-American-speciesNearctic-speciesPlanolinellus vittatus
Planolinellus vittatus is a species of dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. Originally described as Aphodius vittatus by Thomas Say in 1825, it was later transferred to the genus Planolinellus. The species has a broad distribution spanning the Holarctic region, with records from North America, Europe, and Asia.
Planolinoides
Planolinoides is a genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. It was described by Dellacasa & Dellacasa in 2005. The genus contains species distributed in the Palaearctic and Nearctic regions. Members of this genus are small dung beetles associated with mammal dung.
Planolinoides neotomae
A small dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. The species epithet "neotomae" indicates an association with woodrats (genus Neotoma), suggesting a specialized ecological relationship with these rodents. The species is known from western North America and Mexico.
Platytomus
Platytomus is a genus of aphodiine dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, containing more than 20 described species. The genus was established by Mulsant in 1842. Species in this genus are classified within the tribe Psammodiini, a group often associated with sandy or psammophilous habitats. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution, with records from multiple continents.
Platytomus longulus
Platytomus longulus is a small aphodiine dung beetle described by Cartwright in 1948. It belongs to the tribe Psammodiini, a group often associated with sandy or loose substrates rather than dense dung. The species occurs across a broad geographic range spanning the southeastern United States and much of South America.
Platytomus notialis
Platytomus notialis is a small scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Aphodiinae. The species was described by Cartwright in 1948 and is native to the Nearctic region of North America. It belongs to the tribe Psammodiini, a group commonly associated with sandy habitats. Records indicate presence across multiple U.S. states in the central and eastern regions.
Plectris
May beetles, Junebugs
Plectris is a large genus of scarab beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as May beetles or Junebugs. The genus contains over 360 described species, making it one of the more species-rich genera within the subfamily Melolonthinae. Members of this genus are distributed across the Neotropical region. The genus was established by Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau and Audinet-Serville in 1828.
Pleurophorus
Pleurophorus is a genus of aphodiine dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, first described by Mulsant in 1842. The genus contains at least 37 described species. These beetles are part of the subfamily Aphodiinae, which are generally considered less specialized dung beetles compared to the more well-known scarab dung rollers. Members of Pleurophorus are found in association with dung and decaying organic matter.
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 crinita
Long-haired June Beetle
Polyphylla crinita, commonly known as the Long-haired June Beetle, is a large scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is distinguished from closely related species by the presence of setae (hair) on the pronotum. The species occurs in western North America, with records from California north to British Columbia and east to Wyoming, as well as in Baja California, Mexico. Like other members of the genus Polyphylla, males are attracted to lights at night and possess enlarged, fan-like antennae used to detect female sex pheromones.
Polyphylla diffracta
diffracted lined June beetle
Polyphylla diffracta is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as a lined June beetle. It belongs to a genus characterized by large, robust beetles with distinctive fan-like antennae in males. The species occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Like other Polyphylla species, males are attracted to lights at night and use their enlarged, lamellate antennae to detect female sex pheromones.
Polyphylla donaldsoni
Donaldson's lined June beetle
Polyphylla donaldsoni is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Skelley in 2003. It is a member of the lined June beetle genus Polyphylla, which is most diverse in the southwestern United States. Adults are medium-sized beetles that closely resemble Polyphylla pubescens but can be distinguished by specific morphological features. The species has an extremely restricted distribution, known only from central Georgia.
Polyphylla gracilis
Slender Polyphyllan Scarab Beetle
Polyphylla gracilis is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, commonly known as the slender polyphyllan scarab beetle. Adults measure 18.8–21.6 mm in length and are distinguished by a mottled elytral color pattern featuring a broad lateral stripe. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States, with confirmed records from Florida, southeastern Alabama, and southwestern Georgia.
Polyphylla monahansensis
Monahans ten-lined June beetle, Monahan's ten-lined June beetle
Polyphylla monahansensis is a large scarab beetle endemic to sand dune habitats of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico. Like other members of the genus, males possess greatly enlarged, fan-like antennae used to detect female sex pheromones. The species is nocturnal and attracted to lights, with males actively searching for flightless females after sunset. It is one of several Polyphylla species specialized to sandy environments in this region.
Polyphylla nigra
Polyphylla nigra is a scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae, described by Casey in 1914. It belongs to the genus Polyphylla, commonly known as lined June beetles, which are characterized by large body size and sexually dimorphic antennae. The species is distributed in western North America and parts of Mexico. Like other members of its genus, males likely possess enlarged, fan-like antennae used to detect female sex pheromones.
Polyphylla pottsorum
Polyphylla pottsorum is a species of scarab beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is a member of the diverse genus Polyphylla, commonly known as lined June beetles, which are characterized by their large size and distinctive antennae. The species was described by Hardy in 1978.
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.
Polyphylla uteana
Coral Pink Sand Dunes June Beetle
Polyphylla uteana is a large scarab beetle endemic to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes in southwestern Utah. Males possess exceptionally developed lamellate antennae with seven highly elongate plates that fan open to detect female pheromones. The species is nocturnal and attracted to ultraviolet light. Like other Polyphylla species, females are likely flightless and rarely encountered.
Psammodiini
Psammodiini is a tribe of aphodiine dung beetles within the family Scarabaeidae, containing more than 37 genera and approximately 470 described species. Members are primarily associated with sandy habitats, with many species exhibiting psammophilic (sand-loving) adaptations. The tribe was established by Mulsant in 1842 and represents a diverse lineage within the subfamily Aphodiinae.
Psammodius basalis
Psammodius basalis is a small aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. The species is native to the Palaearctic region and has been introduced to North America, where it is established in Maryland. As a member of the subfamily Aphodiinae, it belongs to a group commonly known as small dung beetles or aphodiines that are associated with decomposing organic matter. The genus Psammodius is distinguished by adaptations to sandy habitats.
Psammodius pierottii
A small scarab beetle in the subfamily Aphodiinae, described from the Mediterranean region in 1979. The species belongs to a genus of sand-dwelling beetles typically associated with sandy substrates. It has been introduced to North America, with established populations in Quebec, Canada.
Pseudataenius
Pseudataenius is a genus of aphodiine dung beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, established by Brown in 1927. The genus contains at least three described species: P. contortus, P. gracilitarsis, and P. socialis. Members of this genus are classified within the tribe Eupariini, a group of small to medium-sized scarab beetles often associated with dung and decaying organic matter.
Pseudataenius socialis
Pseudataenius socialis is a species of aphodiine dung beetle in the family Scarabaeidae. It is known from scattered records across the central and southeastern United States. The species was described by Horn in 1871 and is placed in the tribe Eupariini within the subfamily Aphodiinae.
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