White-grubs
Guides
Anomala
Pale and Green Leaf Chafers, Shining Leaf Chafers
Anomala is a large genus of scarab beetles containing at least 1,200 described species, commonly known as shining leaf chafers or pale and green leaf chafers. Members are recognized by their metallic or iridescent coloration and compact, oval body shape. The genus includes significant agricultural pests, most notably the Oriental beetle (Anomala orientalis), which was introduced to North America before 1920 and has become established from Maine to the Carolinas and westward. Larvae of many species are root-feeding white grubs that damage turfgrass and ornamental plants.
Cyclocephala
Masked Chafers
Cyclocephala is a large genus of scarab beetles in the subfamily Dynastinae, commonly known as masked chafers. Adults are small brown beetles (10–15 mm) with a distinctive black facial mask across the eyes. The genus is endemic to the Americas, ranging from southeastern Canada to Argentina, India, and the West Indies. Adults are nocturnal or crepuscular and attracted to lights. Larvae develop in soil, feeding on organic matter and plant roots, and are significant pests of turfgrass.
Phyllophaga
May beetles, June bugs, June beetles, July beetles
Phyllophaga is a large genus of New World scarab beetles comprising over 900 species. Adults are nocturnal, attracted to artificial lights, and feed on foliage of trees and shrubs. Larvae are soil-dwelling white grubs that feed on plant roots. The genus is economically significant as both adults and larvae can cause damage to agricultural crops and turf. Some species exhibit flightlessness and diurnal activity, representing derived traits within the genus.
Scarabaeoidea
Scarabs, Stag Beetles, Dung Beetles, Fruit and Flower Chafers
Scarabaeoidea is a superfamily of beetles comprising approximately 35,000 described species, with around 200 new species described annually. It is the sole superfamily within the infraorder Scarabaeiformia. The group includes diverse families such as Scarabaeidae (scarabs, dung beetles, chafers), Lucanidae (stag beetles), Geotrupidae (earth-boring scarabs), and Bolboceratidae. Many species exhibit distinctive circularly polarized light reflection from their cuticles, produced by helicoidal stacks of chitin microfibrils. The superfamily is currently undergoing taxonomic revision at the family level.