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Beetles of Zihuatanejo

ORDER COLEOPTERA

Charidotella tuberculata
Charidotella tuberculata

-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)

-Tortoise and Hispine Beetles (Subfamily Cassidinae)

-Tribe Cassidini

-Genus Charidotella

-Charidotella tuberculata


Like other tortoise beetles, Charidotella tuberculata has a rounded, dome-like body with broad, flattened elytra (wing covers) that extend beyond the body, giving it a shield-like appearance. The beetle’s defining feature is its metallic gold color, often compared to polished gold or jewels. This coloration is variable and can change under stress, revealing underlying reddish or brown hues.

Diet

  • Adults and larvae: Feed primarily on the leaves of plants in the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae).

  • Host plants include various Ipomoea species and other climbing or trailing morning glories.

  • Feeding produces small holes and areas of leaf skeletonization.

Range

  • Charidotella tuberculata is a Neotropical tortoise beetle, occurring from Mexico through Central America and into northern South America.

  • In Mexico, it is associated with tropical and subtropical regions, including the Pacific coast and Guerrero.

  • Its range extends south through Central America into parts of Colombia and neighbouring areas.

Habitat

  • Inhabits tropical dry forests, tropical rainforests, woodland edges, thorn scrub, secondary vegetation, agricultural fields, gardens, and disturbed habitats.

  • Adults and larvae are closely associated with morning glory vines and other Convolvulaceae.

  • Most often encountered on foliage in warm, sunny conditions.

Size

  • Adult length: approximately 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in).

  • Body broadly oval and convex, with the expanded pronotum and elytral margins characteristic of tortoise beetles.

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