May beetles, Phyllophaga spp. (1, 11, 36)

BIOLOGY. - Adults, commonly called May or June beetles, feed nocturnally on the foliage of various pines and hardwoods. One species, P. micans (Knoch), however, has been reported as damag- ing conelets of loblolly pine. Eggs are laid in small groups in the soil at depths of 7 to 18 cm. The larvae, commonly called white grubs, are root feeders. After feeding for 1 to 3 years, they pupate and emerge as adults in the spring or summer.

INSECT IDENTIFICATION. - Adults are robust beetles 15 to 17 mm long. Wing covers are dull brownish-black.

DAMAGE IDENTIFICATION. - Adult May beetle feeding often leaves only the conelet stalk intact. This injury is indistinguishable from that caused by the pine conelet looper.

IMPORTANCE. - The impact of these insects on southern pine conelet crops is unknown. Damage has only been reported from central Louisiana. While only one species is recorded as causing this damage, other May beetles with similar biologies and habits may also damage conelets.

Adult feeding on loblolly pine flowers. (3X)