Trigonopeltastes delta

Trigonopeltastes delta, the delta flower scarab or D beetle, is a diurnal species of scarab beetle native to the southeastern United States, though their range extends as far north as New Jersey.

Delta flower scarab
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Hexapoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Scarabaeidae
Genus:
Trigonopeltastes
Species:
T. delta
Binomial name
Trigonopeltastes delta
Forster, 1771

Description
A large beetle on a flower
Adult on a coastalplain palafox flower.

Adults measure 8-10 millimeters in length, and can be identified by the yellow triangle on the pronotum, which resembles the defensive coloration of many wasps and has been theorized to act as Batesian mimicry.[1] They can be found from late spring through the summer on the flowers, including those of Queen Anne's lace and New Jersey tea.[2]

Etymology

The generic name is derived from Greek words meaning "triangular shield", with the specific name "delta" referring to the pattern on the dorsal side of the beetle's prothorax, which is reminiscent of the Greek letter delta.[3]

References
  1. "Delta Flower Scarab - Trigonopeltastes delta".
  2. Evans, Arthur V. (2014). Beetles of Eastern North America. Princeton University Press. p. 177. ISBN 978-1-4008-5182-9.
  3. "Delta Flower Scarab - Trigonopeltastes delta (Förster)".


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