Genus Trigonopeltastes

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Numbers · Identification · Range · Food · Print References · Works Cited

Delta Flower Beetle - Trigonopeltastes delta

Unknown Trichiotinus Hairy Flower Scarab - Trigonopeltastes floridana

Delta Flower Scarab - Trigonopeltastes delta

Looks a little like an Oriental Beetle - Trigonopeltastes delta

Delta flower scarab beetle - Trigonopeltastes delta

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Coleoptera (Beetles)

Suborder Polyphaga (Water, Rove, Scarab, Long-horned, Leaf and Snout Beetles)

Superfamily Scarabaeoidea (Scarab, Stag and Bess Beetles)

Family Scarabaeidae (Scarab Beetles)

Subfamily Cetoniinae (Fruit and Flower Chafers)

Tribe Trichiini

Genus Trigonopeltastes

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Trigonopeltastes Burmeister, 1840

Explanation of Names

Trigonopeltastes is from trigono, Greek "triangular", and "peltast" which was a shield used in battle in the ancient world. Or peltast may refer to soldiers who used that shield. (Based on Internet searches.)

Numbers

Two species (T. delta and T. floridanus) are listed for North America on the Nearctica (1) checklists. T. floridanus is local to Florida and somewhat rare. T. delta is widespread in the southeastern US.

Woodruff (1960) lists ten species total for the genus, with two in the United States, seven in Central America, and one recorded from Brazil.

Sixteen species are listed for the neotropical and nearctic regions in the University of Nebraska collection.

Identification

T. floridanus has the delta marking reduced apically - resembles a 'V'

Range

North American species in eastern, esp. southeastern, United States.

Food

Adults take nectar and pollen from flowers.

Print References

Arnett (2)

Woodruff, R.E. (1960). Suppression of the genus Roplisa Casey, with notes on the United States species of Trigonopeltastes Burmeister. Florida Entomologist 43(3): 139-145 (PDF)

Works Cited

1.	Nearctica: Nomina Insecta Nearctica

2.	American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico Ross H. Arnett. 2000. CRC Press.

Contributed by Cotinis on 20 March, 2004 - 12:38am
Additional contributions by Phillip Harpootlian
Last updated 2 June, 2010 - 3:37am

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