Rice Beetle
Dyscinetus morator
This record describes Dyscinetus morator (species). Recorded family: Scarabaeidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Brownish with a greenish tinge above. Front tarsi and claw in male thickened, as in Cyclocephala Det. E. G. Riley, 2009 does little, if any, damage to crops
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Scarabaeoidea
- Family
- Scarabaeidae (Scarab Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Dynastinae
- Tribe
- Cyclocephalini
- Genus
- Dyscinetus (Rice Beetles)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e US (RI-FL to NE-TX) - Map
Seasonal Activity
mostly: Mar-July ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Adults come to lights. Larvae feed under sod, in compost, manure ( 3 ) . Bivoltine in FL ( 5 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Dyscinetus morator (Fabricius 1789)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Dyscinetus morator. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Rice Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Phillip Harpootlian; Additional contributions by cotinis , Bbarnd , Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Rice Beetle
What is Rice Beetle?
Rice Beetle (Dyscinetus morator) is a species in the family Scarabaeidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Rice Beetle?
15-20 mm
How do you identify Rice Beetle?
Brownish with a greenish tinge above. Front tarsi and claw in male thickened, as in Cyclocephala Det. E. G. Riley, 2009
Where is Rice Beetle found?
Range: e US (RI-FL to NE-TX) - Map
When is Rice Beetle active?
Rice Beetle: seasonal activity - mostly: Mar-July ( 4 ).
What is the life cycle of a Rice Beetle?
Adults come to lights. Larvae feed under sod, in compost, manure ( 3 ) . Bivoltine in FL ( 5 )