Phyllophaga rubiginosa
This record describes Phyllophaga rubiginosa (species). Recorded family: Scarabaeidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Phy. rubiginosa ranks second among the night-flying Phyllophaga of Riley county , [Kansas] comprising 15 per cent of the total collections. (emphasis added) (Knaus (1897), in reporting this species from Douglas county and Manhattan, speaks of it as being rare.) The collections show that rubiginosa is more abundant on food plants than at lights. The males greatly predominate in the collections made at lights, while there is a slight preponderance of females in those from trees. (McColloch & Hayes 1919)
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
Geographic Range
s. Great Plains (s.NE to s.TX) - Map (McColloch & Hayes 1919)
Seasonal Activity
Period of flight: April 18 to August 8 in Kansas (McColloch & Hayes 1919)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Principal food plants (in KS): Hawthorne, horse chestnut, locust, hackberry, oak, elm , coffee tree. (McColloch & Hayes 1919) (emphasis added) Incidental food plants (in KS): Linden, birch, Norway maple, redbud, tulip, box elder, ash, apricot, cherry, peach, persimmon, strawberry, silver poplar, larch.
Life History
Numbers coll'ed in Kansas: at lights, 1,798; on food plants, 4,236; in soil, 47; total, 6,081. (McColloch & Hayes 1919)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: rubigin (L). 'rusty'
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Phyllophaga rubiginosa. 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 rubiginosa (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn; Additional contributions by Maury Heiman
Frequently Asked Questions About Phyllophaga rubiginosa
What is Phyllophaga rubiginosa?
Phyllophaga rubiginosa is a species in the family Scarabaeidae, within the order Coleoptera.
Where is Phyllophaga rubiginosa found?
Range: s. Great Plains (s.NE to s.TX) - Map (McColloch & Hayes 1919)
What does Phyllophaga rubiginosa eat?
The diet of the Phyllophaga rubiginosa includes Principal food plants (in KS): Hawthorne, horse chestnut, locust, hackberry, oak, elm , coffee tree. (McColloch & Hayes 1919) (emphasis added) Incidental food plants (in KS): Linden, birch, Norway maple, redbud, tulip, box elder, ash, apricot, cherry, peach, persimmon, strawberry, silver poplar, larch..
When is Phyllophaga rubiginosa active?
Phyllophaga rubiginosa: seasonal activity - Period of flight: April 18 to August 8 in Kansas (McColloch & Hayes 1919).
What is the life cycle of a Phyllophaga rubiginosa?
Numbers coll'ed in Kansas: at lights, 1,798; on food plants, 4,236; in soil, 47; total, 6,081. (McColloch & Hayes 1919)