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Beetles of Zihuatanejo

ORDER COLEOPTERA

Calligrapha pantherina
Calligrapha pantherina

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-Beetles (Order Coleoptera​​)

-​Water, Rove, Scarab, Long-horned, Leaf, and Snout Beetles (Suborder Polyphaga)

-​Cucujiform Beetles (Infraorder Cucujiformia)

-Leaf Beetles and Allies (Superfamily Chrysomeloidea)

-Leaf Beetles Family (Chrysomelidae)

-​Subfamily Chrysomelinae

-Tribe Doryphorini

-Subtribe Doryphorina

-Calligrapher Beetles (Genus Calligrapha)

-Subgenus Calligrapha

-Calligrapha pantherina


Calligrapha pantherina is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, belonging to the ornate genus Calligrapha, whose members are known for their bold, highly symmetrical patterns. This species is named pantherina for its resemblance to a spotted, panther-like pattern, one of the more striking designs within the genus. Like other Calligrapha species, C. pantherina is herbivorous, with both adults and larvae feeding on the leaves of specific host plants. The feeding damage often appears as irregular holes or surface scraping on foliage. These beetles are usually found on or near their host plants in sunlit habitats, including forest edges and tropical dry regions of Mexico and surrounding areas.

Diet

  • Adults and larvae: Feed primarily on the foliage of Sida species (family Malvaceae), particularly Sida acuta and Sida rhombifolia. Sida spinosa is also reported as a host.

  • Larvae initially feed in groups, but older larvae become more solitary. They may also consume flowers and developing fruits before leaving the plant to pupate in leaf litter or shallow soil.

Range

  • Native to Mexico, where it has been recorded from Guerrero, Oaxaca, Veracruz, and Chiapas.

  • Its natural range extends into Central America, including Guatemala and Nicaragua.

Habitat

  • Associated with tropical dry forest, tropical deciduous vegetation, secondary forest, scrubland, grassland, roadsides, agricultural areas, and other disturbed habitats where Sida plants grow.

  • In Mexico, it has been recorded from seasonally dry vegetation and secondary growth, including elevations of approximately 1,500–1,700 m in Morelos.

Size

  • A small to medium-sized leaf beetle, with the broadly oval, convex body characteristic of Calligrapha.

  • The elytra have the intricate contrasting markings typical of the genus.

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