Open AccessAN INTRODUCED PASTURE BEETLE, PLECTRIS ALIENA CHAPIN (SCARABAEIDAE: MELOLONTHINAE)
Author(s) -
Roberts R. J.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
australian journal of entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1440-6055
pISSN - 1326-6756
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-6055.1968.tb00693.x
Subject(s) - scarabaeidae , biology , bionomics , temperate climate , pasture , larva , sandhill , ecology , agronomy , habitat
i The presence of the South American pasture beetle Plectris aliena Chapin in Australia near Casino, New South Wales, is reported. Characters of use in distinguishing the adult and larval stages from those of native scarabaeids are described. The bionomics, ecology, and potential importance of the species are discussed. It is concluded that P. aliena is a species of humid‐temperate climates where it appears to be restricted to light sandy soils. The larvae may damage the roots of grasses and crops.