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Beetles of Zihuatanejo

ORDER COLEOPTERA

Cotinis pauperula
Cotinis pauperula

-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)aga)

-Scarabaeiform Beetles (Infraorder Scarabaeiformia)

-Scarabs, Stag Beetles, and Allies (Superfamily Scarabaeidae)

-Scarabs (Family Scarabaeidae)

-Fruit and Flower Chafers (Subfamily Cetoniinae)

-Flower Scarabs (Tribe Gymnetini)

-Green June Beetles (Genus Cotinis)

-Cotinis pauperula


The Cotinis pauperula is a species of flower scarab beetle within the family Scarabaeidae, known for its attractive appearance and association with flowers. This beetle is often a shiny green or metallic green, sometimes with subtle golden or bronzy hues, particularly on its back (elytra) and thorax. As flower scarabs, adult Cotinis pauperula feed on the pollen and nectar of flowers, contributing to pollination.

Diet

  • Larvae: Feed primarily on decaying organic matter, compost, roots, and decomposing plant material in the soil.

  • Adults: Feed mainly on ripe and fermenting fruit, plant sap, flowers, and occasionally foliage.

  • Adults may be attracted to overripe fruit and sap flows.

Range

  • Cotinis pauperula is a Neotropical scarab beetle found primarily in Mexico and Central America.

  • In Mexico, it occurs in tropical and subtropical regions, including the Pacific slope and Guerrero.

  • It is associated with warm, seasonally dry habitats.

Habitat

  • Found in tropical dry forests, tropical deciduous forests, woodland edges, orchards, gardens, agricultural areas, and disturbed habitats.

  • Larvae develop in soil containing decaying vegetation and organic matter.

  • Adults are frequently encountered around fruiting trees, flowers, sap flows, and decomposing vegetation.

Size

  • Adult length: approximately 15–22 mm (0.6–0.9 in).

  • Body robust and oval, with the broad, heavy form typical of flower chafers (Cetoniinae).

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