May Beetle

by

Subject: Unidentifiable beetle
Location: 25 miles south of Pueblo, near Greenhorn mountain
July 13, 2017 1:12 pm
Hello Bugman,
I took a picture of this beetle about 25 miles south of Pueblo, CO on a bit of sage. I have searched the internet and have not found any satisfactory match. Can you help?
Thanks!
Signature: Brent Evans

May Beetle

Hi Brent,
This is definitely a Scarab Beetle, and we believe it is a May Beetle in the subfamily Meloionthinae.  This image of Dinacoma caseyi from BugGuide looks very similar, but it is only reported from California and according to BugGuide:  “Only known population occurs within the Palm Canyon Wash area in the southern part of the City of Palm Springs, Riverside County, California. The species is believed to occupy less than 800 acres of land. – FWS.”  Perhaps this is a close relative in the same genus or perhaps a related genus.  We will try to contact Artur V. Evans and Eric Eaton for assistance.

Eric Eaton responds.
Daniel:
Pretty sure this is Phyllophaga lanceolata, a type of May beetle that is pretty common in Colorado.  Looking forward to Art’s assessment.
Eric
author, Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America

Ed. Note:  We also received a response from Arthur V. Evans who provided a BugGuide link to confirm Eric’s identification.  According to BugGuide:  “Unlike most Phyllophaga, adults are diurnal. Females are flightless.”
Hi Daniel,

I am about to enter the photo in the Boulder County Fair.  I thought it might be useful to know what it was.
Many, many thanks again for your help in this matter.  I will save the info and cherish it!  If you can, please pass my thanks back up the line as well.
Kind regards,
Brent

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