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| Dynastinae Taxa Map | ||
........Mononidia Casey 1915: 110 (synonym).
........Diapatalia Casey 1915: 111 (synonym).
........Stigmalia Casey 1915: 111 (synonym).
........Spilosota Casey 1915: 112 (synonym).
........Ochrosidia Casey 1915: 112 (synonym).
........Dichromina Casey 1915: 112 (synonym).
........Homochromina Casey 1915: 113 (synonym).
........Plagiosalia Casey 1915: 135 (synonym).
........Isocoryna Casey 1915: 136 (synonym).
........Graphalia Casey 1915: 159 (synonym).
........Aclinidia Casey 1915: 113 (synonym).
........Halotosia Casey 1915: 113 (synonym).
........Aspidotites Höhne 1922b: 374 (synonym).
........Aspidolella Prell 1936: 146 (synonym).
........Albridarollia Bolivar y Pieltaín, Jiménez-Asúa, and Martínez 1963: 182 (synonym).
........Paraclimidia Martínez 1965: 13.(synonym, described as subgenus).
Distribution: from extreme southeastern Canada south to Argentina and in the West Indies. Most of the species occur in the Neotropical realm.
Composition: Cyclocephala is a large genus that currently contains about 335 species, although new species are being described continuously. Endrödi (1985a) provided the most recent synopsis of the genus, although 90 species have been described since his work. Consequently, the keys in his manual should be used with caution inasmuch as there now exists 44% more species than are in the keys.
Diagnosis: species in the genus may be recognized by a clypeus with sides converging to a rounded, parabolic, subtruncate, or emarginate apex; antenna with 8-10 segments and the club longer in the males of a few species; maxilla armed with distinct teeth; and protarsus in the males distinctly enlarged with the medial (or inner) claw much larger than the outer claw (claws in females are simple). Separating Cyclocephala species from Aspidolea species may occasionally be difficult, but in Aspidolea species the sides of the clypeus are always divergent (sometimes only weakly) from the base before becoming rounded at the apex, whereas in Cyclocephala species the sides of the clypeus converge (even if slightly) to the apex. A more reliable character is the presence of distinct teeth on the maxilla in Cyclocephala species, whereas they are absent in Aspidolea species (except for the large and distinctive A. fuliginea). Cyclocephala species do not have the elongated mandible seen in most Ancognatha species, and they also have a more or less complete frontoclypeal suture, which is obsolete medially in Ancognatha species.
Biological notes: Adult Cyclocephala species are nocturnal, and they are attracted to lights at night. Several species are known to feed upon (and pollinate) the flowers of aroids and certain palms. Only a few larvae have been described, and those feed on the roots of grasses.
Literature cited:
Endrödi, S. 1985a. The Dynastinae of the World. Dr. W. Junk Publisher, Dordrecht. 800 pp., 46 plates.
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