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Classification |
........Dyscinetus Harold,
1869 |
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........Chalepus MacLeay
1819: 149 (junior homonym, invalid name).
........Dyscinetus Harold
1869: 123.
........Palechus Casey
1915: 174 (synonym). |
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Dyscinetus dubius. |
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Cyclocephalini
key |
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Distribution: from
the central United States to Argentina.
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Composition:
15 species (Endrödi 1966, 1985a; Ratcliffe 1986; Joly and Escalona
2002).
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Diagnosis: Dyscinetus species are all
characterized by the presence of a larger, inner claw with split apex
on the protarsus in males (the 5th tarsomere may or may not be enlarged);
a short, trapezoidal clypeus; 10-segmented antenna with a short club;
and black coloration often tinged with green. Most species of Dyscinetus are
similar in external appearance, but certain characters of surface sculpturing,
protarsus development in the males, and especially the form of the male
parameres will serve to distinguish the species.
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Larvae: the larval stage has been described for a couple
of species.
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Biological notes: the biology of most of the species
remains unknown. They have
occasionally been implicated in the injury to agricultural crops, but
this has never been verified. The larvae are possibly general detritus
or root feeders. Adults are attracted
to lights.
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Revision or synopsis: The most recent synopsis
of the genus is that of Endrödi (1985a).
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Literature cited:
Endrödi, S. 1966. Monographie der Dynastinae (Coleoptera, Lamellicornia).
I. Teil. Entomologische Abhandlungen 33: 1-460.
Endrödi, S. 1985a. The Dynastinae of the World. Dr. W. Junk
Publisher, Dordrecht. 800 pp., 46 plates.
Joly, L. J. and H. E. Escalona. 2002. Dos nuevas especies
de Dyscinetus Harold de Argentina (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae:
Dynastinae: Cyclocephalini). Entomotropica 17: 197-205.
Ratcliffe, B. C. 1986. Two new species of Dyscinetus from the
West Indies and South America (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Dynastinae). Coleopterists
Bulletin 40: 75-80.
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Author: Brett
Ratcliffe
Generated on: 06/FEB/2007 .....Last
modified: 06/FEB/2007
University of Nebraska State Museum - Division of Entomology
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