The ten-lined June beetle (''Polyphylla decemlineata''), also known as the watermelon beetle, is a scarab beetle found in the western United States and Canada. The adults are attracted to light and feed on foliage. They can make a hissing sound when touched or otherwise disturbed, which can resemble the hissing of a bat. This sound is made by their wings pushing down, forcing the air out between their wings and back. They can be an agricultural pest affecting a wide range of crops because their larvae feed on plant roots and can weaken or kill the plants.

Description

They are relatively large in size, some growing to sizes as large as 1.5 inches (3 cm) or more. As in other members of this genus, the males have large distinctive antennae consisting of several lamellate plates, which they close up when threatened. The antennae are used to detect pheromones emitted by the females. The wing covers ( elytra) have four long white stripes and one short stripe each. The underside of the thorax is covered with brownish hairs.

Life cycle

Eggs: The eggs are oval, dull, and creamy. They are about 1/16 of an inch long.
Larva: The grub can grow up to 2 inches with 3 pairs of legs, with a white body and brown head. The larval stage can last as long as 4 years. Polyphylla decemlineata MHNT femelle dos.jpg, Dorsal side ♀ Polyphylla decemlineata MHNT femelle ventre.jpg, Ventral side ♀ Ten Lined June Beetle.JPG, Ten Lined June Beetle ♂ Ten Lined June Beetle - Open.JPG, Ten Lined June Beetle - Open ♂ Polyphylla decemlineata morning stretches 2016-05-27.webm, Coming back to life after a cool night

References

External links

Wayne's Word page on beetles

The Daily Garden - Ten-lined June Beetle
{{Taxonbar, from=Q2378176 Beetles of North America Polyphylla Beetles described in 1823