Dyscinetus Harold, 1869

Ratcliffe, Brett C. & Cave, Ronald D., 2010, The Dynastinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) of the Cayman Islands (West Indies), with descriptions of Tomarus adoceteus, new species (Pentodontini) and Caymania nitidissima, new genus and species (Phileurini), Insecta Mundi 2010 (139), pp. 1-15 : 6

Dyscinetus Harold, 1869

Dyscinetus is comprised of 15 species ( Chalumeau 1982; Endrödi 1966, 1985; Ratcliffe 1986). Species of Dyscinetus occur from the central United States to Argentina. There are five species recorded from the West Indies ( Chalumeau 1982; Endrödi 1985; Ratcliffe 1986). Dyscinetus species are characterized by the presence of a larger, inner claw with split apex on the protarsus in males (the 5th tarsomere may or may not be enlarged); a short, trapezoidal clypeus; 10-segmented antenna with a short club; and black coloration often tinged with green. Most species of Dyscinetus are similar in external appearance, but certain characters of surface sculpturing, protarsus development in the males, and especially the form of the male parameres will serve to distinguish the species.

The biology of most of species remains un- Figure 9. Dyscinetus imitator Ratcliffe , habitus. known. They have occasionally been implicated in injury to agricultural crops. The larvae are possibly general detritus or root feeders. Adults are attracted to lights at night.