Phyllophaga perlonga
This record describes Phyllophaga perlonga (species). Recorded family: Scarabaeidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Scarabaeoidea
- Family
- Scarabaeidae (Scarab Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Melolonthinae
- Tribe
- Rhizotrogini
- Genus
- Phyllophaga (May Beetles)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
fairly common in moist hardwood bottom lands of Louisiana (Riley, 1988) can withstand winter flooding (standing water). (E. G. Riley, pers. comm. 2026 to MAQ)
Geographic Range
se.US (MO-AR-ne.TX-LA to NC-FL panhandle) - Map , rare in the FL panhandle, though occasionally abundant in LA-MS
Seasonal Activity
represented by five or six hundred specimens collected at Agricultural College, Miss., March 19 to June 21, with isolated records for July and August, the period of greatest abundance being March and April.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: on a wide variety of trees including pecan, elm, hickory, and honey locust.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Phyllophaga perlonga Davis, 1920
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Phyllophaga perlonga. 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 Phyllophaga perlonga (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Phyllophaga perlonga
How big is Phyllophaga perlonga?
rather large, measuring 21 to 25 mm
Where is Phyllophaga perlonga found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | fairly common in moist hardwood bottom lands of Louisiana (Riley, 1988) can withstand winter flooding (standing water). (E. G. Riley, pers. comm. 2026 to MAQ) |
| Range | se.US (MO-AR-ne.TX-LA to NC-FL panhandle) - Map , rare in the FL panhandle, though occasionally abundant in LA-MS |
What does Phyllophaga perlonga eat?
The diet of the Phyllophaga perlonga includes on a wide variety of trees including pecan, elm, hickory, and honey locust..
When is Phyllophaga perlonga active?
Phyllophaga perlonga: seasonal activity - represented by five or six hundred specimens collected at Agricultural College, Miss., March 19 to June 21, with isolated records for July and August, the period of greatest abundance being March and April..