Phyllophaga (genus)
5325213
222772021
2008-07-01T01:09:43Z
74.67.235.195
/* References */
{{Taxobox
| name = ''Phyllophaga''
| image = Phyllophaga_spPCCP20040419-4076A2.jpg
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Arthropod]]a
| classis = [[Insect]]a
| ordo = [[Coleoptera]]
| familia = [[Scarabaeidae]]
| subfamilia = [[Melolonthinae]]
| genus = '''''Phyllophaga'''''
| genus_authority = Harris, 1827
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
> 260
}}
{{wikispecies|Phyllophaga}}
{{commons|Phyllophaga}}
'''''Phyllophaga''''' is a very large [[genus]] (more than 260 species) of [[New World]] [[Scarabaeidae|scarab]] [[beetle]]s in the subfamily [[Melolonthinae]]. Common names for this genus and many other related genera in the subfamily Melolonthinae are May beetles, June bugs, and June beetles. They are medium to large in size (8-25 mm) and are blackish or reddish-brown in colour, without prominent markings, and often rather hairy ventrally. These beetles are nocturnal, coming to lights in great numbers. The adults are [[chafer]]s, feeding on foliage of trees and shrubs. They may cause significant damage when emerging in large numbers. The larvae (called [[white grub]]s) feed on the roots of grasses and other plants. The insects pupate underground in the fall and emerge as adults the following spring. To test for the presence of these beetles, one can drench an area of lawn with water and the larvae will emerge at the surface.
Flies in the family [[Pyrgotidae]] are [[endoparasitoid]]s of these and related beetles; the females pursue the beetles in flight, laying an egg on the beetle's back under the [[elytra]] where the beetle cannot reach it. The egg hatches and the fly larva enters the body cavity of the beetle, feeding and eventually killing the host before [[pupa]]ting. [[Wasp]]s in numerous families are [[parasitoid]]s of ''Phyllophaga'' grubs, including [[Pelecinidae]], [[Scoliidae]], and [[Tiphiidae]].
The generic name is derived from the Greek words phyllon (φυλλον), which means "leaf", and phagos (φαγος), which means "eater", with a feminine ending.
Adult chafers eat the leaves and flowers of many deciduous trees, shrubs and other plants. However, their fat, white grubs (reaching 40-45 mm long when full grown) live in the [[soil]] and feed on plant roots, especially those of grasses and cereals, and are occasional pests in pastures, nurseries, gardens, and golf courses. The injury consists of poorly growing patches that quickly turn brown in dry weather. The grubs can be found immediately below the surface, usually lying in a characteristic comma-like position.<ref name="june beetle">{{cite web|url=http://www.cirrusimage.com/beetles_June.htm|title=June Beetle / June Bug - Cirrus Digital Imaging|publisher=Red Planet Inc.|accessdate=2008-06-21}}</ref>
The grubs sometimes attack vegetables and other garden plants, e.g. lettuce, raspberry, strawberry and young ornamental trees. Injury to the roots and rootstock causes small saplings and tender tap-rooted plants like lettuce to wilt suddenly or to show stunted growth and a tendency to shed leaves prematurely. Plants growing in rows are usually attacked in succession as the grubs move along from one plant to the next. Chafer grubs feed below ground for 3-4 years before changing into adult beetles.<ref name="june beetle"/>
== Footnotes ==
<references/>
== References ==
*Bartlett, Troy, et al. [http://bugguide.net/node/view/3477 BugGuide]
*Dillon, Elizabeth S., and Dillon, Lawrence (1961). ''A Manual of Common Beetles of Eastern North America''. Evanston, Illinois: Row, Peterson, and Company.
*Evans, Arthur W. [http://www-museum.unl.edu/research/entomology/Guide/Scarabaeoidea/Scarabaeidae/Melolonthinae/Melolonthinae-Overview/MelolonthinaeO.html Generic Guide to New World Scarabs]--subfamily Melolonthinae
*[http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/roses/msg0623425711866.html Garden Web]
*Haarstad, John A. [http://www.cedarcreek.umn.edu/insects/024030n.html Insects of Cedar Creek, Minnesota]
*Smith, A. B. T. 2003. Checklist of the Scarabaeoidea of the Nearctic Realm. Version 3. Electronically published, Lincoln, Nebraska. 74 pp, available [http://www-museum.unl.edu/research/entomology/nearctic.htm here].
*White , Richard E. (1998). ''Beetles : A Field Guide to the Beetles of North America''. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-395-91089-7.
[[Category:Scarabaeidae]]