Polyphylla, Harris, 1841

Skelley, Paul E., 2009, A new species of Polyphylla Harris from peninsular Florida Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae) with a key to species of the pubescens species group, Insecta Mundi 2009 (85), pp. 1-14 : 2

Key to species of the Polyphylla - pubescens species group

Skelley (2004) presented a key to Melolonthini of the southeastern United States in which identification of females in the Polyphylla - pubescens species group without associated males is impossible. In that key, all members of the pubescens species group, including the new species, will key to couplet 7, which leads to couplet 8 where problems begin. I take this opportunity to correct the oversight by presenting a key to both males and females of the pubescens species group.

1. Antennal club elongate of 7 antennomeres; dorsal elytral pubescence dense ( Fig. 22, 24, 26, 28 ); metafemora not robust, only slightly larger than mesofemora [males] .................................... 2

— Antennal club short of 5 antennomeres; dorsal elytral pubescence sparse and widely scattered or absent (Fig. 23,25,27,29); metafemora robust, distinctly larger than mesofemora [females] .. 5

2(1). Pronotal punctation coarse and distinct ( Fig. 6 ); elytra with setae in patches, giving a mottled pattern ( Fig. 23 ); peninsular Florida ............................................ P. starkae Skelley , n. sp.

— Pronotal punctation fine and indistinct ( Fig. 8 ); elytra evenly pubescent, silky, lacking mottled pattern ( Fig. 24, 26, 28 ); continental US (Georgia and panhandle of Florida) ........................ 3

3(2) Metatibiae parallel-sided for most of length (Fig. 11); Ohoopee Dunes region of central Georgia. ............................................................................................................. P. donaldsoni Skelley

— Metatibiae diverging toward apex for most of length (Fig. 12-13); Florida Panhandle .............. 4

4(3). Elytra with lateral marginal bead attaining base of pronotum; metatibiae usually black, same color as pronotum (Fig. 12, 26); inland Florida Panhandle, west of Choctawhatchee River, Eglin Air Force Base area ....................................................................... P. pubescens Cartwright

— Elytra with lateral marginal bead not attaining base of pronotum; metatibiae usually tan, contrasting in color with pronotum (Fig. 13, 28); primarily coastal Florida Panhandle east of Choctawhatchee Bay ............................................................................... P. woodruffi Skelley

5(1). Apical metatibial plates below tarsal junction distinctly larger than upper part (Fig. 18-19) ... 6

— Apical metatibial plates below tarsal junction same size as upper part (Fig. 20-21) ................. 7

6(5). Pronotal punctation coarse and distinct on disc ( Fig. 7 , 23 ) ............ P. starkae Skelley , n. sp.

— Pronotal punctation fine and indistinct on disc ( Fig. 25 )....................... P. donaldsoni Skelley

7(6). Metatibiae abruptly widening near apex (Fig. 16); metatibiae usually black, same color as pronotum ....................................................................................................... P. pubescens Cartwright

— Metatibiae gradually widening from base to apex, somewhat triangular in appearance (Fig. 17); metatibiae usually tan, contrasting in color with pronotum ................. P. woodruffi Skelley

Figures

Figure 22-29. Polyphylla - pubescens species group, male (left) and female (right). 22-23) P. starkae. 24-25) P. donaldsoni. 26-27) P. pubescens. 28-29) P. woodruffi. These images were taken and reproduced at the same magnification.

Figure 6-9. Polyphylla spp. head and pronotum, males on left, females on right. 6-7) Polyphylla starkae. 8-9) Polyphylla pubescens.