Sugarcane Beetle
Euetheola rugiceps
This record describes Euetheola rugiceps (species). Recorded family: Scarabaeidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
elytral striae distinctly punctate; clypeus with two blunt teeth. Hind tarsi differentiate it from Dyscinetus morator Syntype Locality: Louisiana
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Scarabaeoidea
- Family
- Scarabaeidae (Scarab Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Dynastinae
- Tribe
- Pentodontini
- Genus
- Euetheola
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e.US (MD‒FL to NE‒c.TX) - Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults feed on stalks of such plants as cotton, sugarcane, sweet potatoes, and corn; larvae, on decaying vegetation in soil.
Life History
Adults overwinter in well-drained soil. Adults come to lights. Mating in soil; females lay up to 100 eggs over their lifespan. Larvae pupate after 2‒3 months, pupal stage lasts about two weeks.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Euetheola rugiceps (LeConte)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Euetheola rugiceps. 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 Sugarcane Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Phillip Harpootlian , Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Sugarcane Beetle
What is Sugarcane Beetle?
Sugarcane Beetle (Euetheola rugiceps) is a species in the family Scarabaeidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Sugarcane Beetle?
11.8‒15.5 mm
How do you identify Sugarcane Beetle?
elytral striae distinctly punctate; clypeus with two blunt teeth. Hind tarsi differentiate it from Dyscinetus morator
Where is Sugarcane Beetle found?
Range: e.US (MD‒FL to NE‒c.TX) - Map
What does Sugarcane Beetle eat?
The diet of the Sugarcane Beetle includes Adults feed on stalks of such plants as cotton, sugarcane, sweet potatoes, and corn; larvae, on decaying vegetation in soil..
What is the life cycle of a Sugarcane Beetle?
Adults overwinter in well-drained soil. Adults come to lights. Mating in soil; females lay up to 100 eggs over their lifespan. Larvae pupate after 2‒3 months, pupal stage lasts about two weeks.