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Beetles of Zihuatanejo

ORDER COLEOPTERA

Chaetocnema (Unknown Species)
Chaetocnema (Genus)

-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)

-Skeletonizing Leaf and Flea Beetles (Subfamily Galerucinae)rucinae)

-Flea Beetles (Tribe Alticini)

-Subtribe Chaetocnemina

-Genus Chaetocnema


Chaetocnema is a genus of very small flea beetles (typically 1.5–3 mm long) characterized by an oval to elongate, strongly convex body, dark or metallic coloration, and greatly enlarged hind femora that allow them to jump powerfully when disturbed. They are leaf-feeding beetles, with adults producing characteristic small “shot-hole” damage on leaves, while larvae usually feed on roots or lower plant tissues.

Diet

  • Adults: Feed primarily on the leaves of grasses, sedges, and other herbaceous plants, creating numerous small, round "shot holes" in the foliage.

  • Larvae: Usually feed on roots and other underground plant tissues, although host plants vary considerably among species.

  • Some species are associated with crops such as maize, rice, wheat, and other grasses.

Range

  • The genus Chaetocnema is distributed worldwide, with species occurring on every continent except Antarctica.

  • Numerous species occur throughout Mexico, including the Pacific coast of Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo region.

  • The genus is particularly diverse in warm and temperate grassland habitats.

Habitat

  • Found in grasslands, wetlands, marshes, tropical dry forests, woodland edges, agricultural fields, pastures, gardens, and disturbed vegetation.

  • Adults are commonly found on grasses and sedges, while larvae develop in the soil around plant roots.

  • Many species favour moist habitats, although others are adapted to dry environments.

Size

  • Adult length: approximately 1.5–3 mm (0.06–0.12 in).

  • Body small, oval, and often metallic bronze, green, blue, or black.


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