Apogonia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Apogonia |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Superfamily: | Scarabaeoidea |
| Family: | Scarabaeidae |
| Subfamily: | Melolonthinae |
| Tribe: | Melolonthini |
| Genus: | Apogonia Kirby, 1818 |
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Apogonia is a group, or genus, of scarab beetles. These beetles are part of a very large family of insects. They are known for their strong bodies and often shiny appearance.
Contents
What are Apogonia Beetles?
Apogonia beetles are a type of beetle found mostly in Asia. Like all beetles, they have hard wing covers that protect their flying wings. They belong to the Melolonthinae subfamily, which includes many well-known beetles like chafers.
What Do They Look Like?
Apogonia beetles are usually small to medium-sized. They often have a dark, sometimes metallic, color. Their bodies are typically oval-shaped and sturdy. They have antennae that can fan out, which helps them smell.
Where Do They Live?
These beetles are common in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia. They live in areas with lots of plants and trees. You might find them in forests, orchards, or even gardens. They are active mostly at night.
Life Cycle of a Scarab Beetle
Like many insects, Apogonia beetles go through a complete metamorphosis. This means they change a lot during their lives. They start as eggs, then become larvae, then pupae, and finally adult beetles.
Eggs and Larvae
Female Apogonia beetles lay their eggs in the soil. After a while, the eggs hatch into larvae. These larvae are often called "grubs." They are usually C-shaped, white, and have a soft body. Grubs live underground and feed on plant roots. They grow by shedding their skin several times.
Pupae and Adults
Once the grub is fully grown, it changes into a pupa. The pupa stage is like a resting phase. During this time, the grub transforms into an adult beetle. After some weeks or months, the adult beetle emerges from the soil. The adult beetles then feed, mate, and lay eggs to start the cycle again.
Why Are They Pests?
Some species of Apogonia beetles are known as pests. This means they can cause harm to crops and plants. They are especially known for damaging durian trees, which grow a popular fruit in Southeast Asia.
Damage to Plants
Both the larvae (grubs) and the adult beetles can cause damage. The grubs live in the soil and eat the roots of plants. This can make the plants weak or even kill them. Adult Apogonia beetles feed on the leaves of trees. They chew holes in the leaves, which can reduce the tree's ability to make food. When many beetles feed on one tree, it can seriously hurt the tree's health and fruit production.
Protecting Crops
Farmers try different ways to protect their crops from these beetles. This can include using pesticides carefully. They also use methods like checking plants regularly for signs of damage. Sometimes, they use traps to catch the adult beetles. Understanding the beetle's life cycle helps farmers decide the best time to act.
See also
In Spanish: Apogonia para niños
