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Beetles of Zihuatanejo

ORDER COLEOPTERA

Cryptocephalus Case-bearing Leaf Beetles
Cryptocephalus (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)​​

-Case-bearing Leaf Beetles (Subfamily Cryptocephalinae)

-Tribe Cryptocephalini

-Subtribe Cryptocephalina

-Genus Cryptocephalus


Cryptocephalus irroratus is a Case-bearing Leaf Beetle species belonging to the family Chrysomelidae. Adults primarily feed on the leaves of plants, particularly those in the Asteraceae family, such as daisies and sunflowers. Their feeding can cause noticeable damage, including leaf holes and defoliation.


Diet

  • Adults: Feed primarily on leaves, flowers, pollen, and occasionally buds of their host plants. Host plants vary considerably among species.

  • Larvae: Feed on decaying plant material, fungi, and leaf litter, while living inside a protective portable case.

  • Some species are associated with oaks, willows, legumes, and other woody plants.

Range

  • The genus Cryptocephalus is distributed worldwide, with species occurring throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

  • Numerous species occur in Mexico, including the Pacific coast and Guerrero.

  • Tropical and temperate regions both support diverse Cryptocephalus communities.

Habitat

  • Found in forests, woodland edges, grasslands, scrublands, meadows, agricultural fields, gardens, and secondary vegetation.

  • Adults are commonly found on leaves and flowers, while larvae occur among leaf litter and low vegetation.

  • Many species favour warm, sunny conditions.

Size

  • Adult length: approximately 2–6 mm (0.08–0.24 in).

  • Body compact, cylindrical to oval, often brightly coloured or metallic.

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