Southwestern Masked Chafer

Hexapoda, Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Cyclocephala pasadenae

Description: Medium oval beetles that are light tan in color and shiny. Males and females look similar. There are several other similar looking beetles in New Mexico, but they are not shiny and tan.

Geographic Distribution: Throughout southern and central New Mexico. Native.

Habitats: Yards, gardens and open areas with herbaceous plants and flowers. Adults fly at night, and often come to lights. Larvae live in the soil and feed on decaying plant material and plant roots.

Biology: Adults fly at night during the mid-summer, and do not feed. The larvae occur in soil during the late summer through winter, pupate in the spring, and emerge as adults during the summer.

Health/pest Status: Not considered pests.