Polyphylla
Encyclopedia
Polyphylla is a genus
of scarab
beetle
with most species
living in western North America
. They typically reside in forests and orchards with most being identified by white elytra scales forming stripes. The adult beetles are often attracted to lights. Polyphylla lay their eggs on soil near plants from where the larvae
hatch and burrow down to the roots on which they will feed. They reach maturity in two to three years.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of scarab
Scarabaeidae
The family Scarabaeidae as currently defined consists of over 30,000 species of beetles worldwide. The species in this large family are often called scarabs or scarab beetles. The classification of this family is fairly unstable, with numerous competing theories, and new proposals appearing quite...
beetle
Beetle
Coleoptera is an order of insects commonly called beetles. The word "coleoptera" is from the Greek , koleos, "sheath"; and , pteron, "wing", thus "sheathed wing". Coleoptera contains more species than any other order, constituting almost 25% of all known life-forms...
with most species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
living in western North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. They typically reside in forests and orchards with most being identified by white elytra scales forming stripes. The adult beetles are often attracted to lights. Polyphylla lay their eggs on soil near plants from where the larvae
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
hatch and burrow down to the roots on which they will feed. They reach maturity in two to three years.
Species
- Polyphylla barbataPolyphylla barbataPolyphylla barbata is a rare species of beetle known by the common name Mount Hermon June beetle. It is endemic to California, where it occurs only in Santa Cruz County. There is only a single occurrence of the beetle on a stretch of territory of under...
, endemic to California - Polyphylla crinita, widespread in western North America.
- Polyphylla decemlineataTen-lined June beetleThe ten-lined June beetle, also known as the watermelon beetle, is a scarab beetle, living in the western United States and Canada. They are attracted to light and feed on the needles of coniferous trees. They can make a hissing sound when touched or otherwise disturbed, which can resemble the...
, occurring mostly in west and north-central US states. - Polyphylla diffracta, in oak/pinyon pine forests of the southwest United States.
- Polyphylla erraticaDeath Valley June beetleThe Death Valley June beetle is a scarab beetle in the subfamily Melolonthinae. It is only known to occur in the drainage basin of the Amargosa River in the southwestern United States....
, in the Amargosa River basin of the southwest United States - Polyphylla fullo, in North America