Polyphylla starkae
| Polyphylla starkae | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Scarabaeiformia |
| Family: | Scarabaeidae |
| Genus: | Polyphylla |
| Species: | P. starkae
|
| Binomial name | |
| Polyphylla starkae Skelley, 2009
| |
Polyphylla starkae, commonly known as the Auburndale scrub scarab beetle, is a species of beetle in the family Scarabaeidae endemic to the U.S. state of Florida.
Taxonomy
[edit | edit source]Polyphylla starkae is part of the pubescens species complex which includes P. pubescens, P. donaldsoni, and P. woodruffi all endemic to sand dunes in the Southeastern United States.[2] P. starkae is the largest member in the complex, and shows significant sexual dimorphism between the males and females.[2] Females have a reddish-brown elytra and body, with the elytra connected at its base making them flightless. Males have a typically dark elytra patchily covered with light brown coloured setae, and are also capable of flight.[2] Its binomial name is an honorific for Donna Stark, who collected the beetle.[2] Its common name comes from the city of Auburndale, Florida which is located near to its range.
Distribution
[edit | edit source]The Auburndale scrub scarab is endemic to the Lake Wales Ridge in Central Florida, where it is found in a very limited range, requiring very specific scrub habitat.[1]
References
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