Explanation of Names
At
Words by William Whitaker, "vario" translates to "variegated" or "colored", most likely describing the pattern on the elytra.
Food
Adults feed on tree foliage, thus sometimes called "chafers".
Life Cycle
Eggs are laid on soil near host plants. Larvae hatch, burrow down and feed on roots of shrubs, trees, require 2-3 years to reach maturity. Pupation is in underground chambers. Adults come to lights.
Remarks
Grubs also reported to occasionally damage turfgrass
(1)Print References
"Garden Insects of North America"
(1), p. 526
"American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico"
(2), p. 417 (
Polyphylla sp. described)
Internet References
The Insects of Quebes has great photos of ventral and dorsal views.
Albertson College of Idaho lists
P. variolosa in its collection.
