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Beetles of Zihuatanejo

ORDER COLEOPTERA

Cymatonycha castanea
Cymatonycha castanea

-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)

-Longhorn Beetles (Family Cerambycidae)​

-​Flat-faced Longhorn Beetles (Subfamily Lamiinae)

-Tribe Desmiphorini​

-Genus Cymatonycha

-Cymatonycha castanea


Cymatonycha castanea is a species of longhorn beetle in the family Cerambycidae, commonly referred to as a flat-faced longhorn beetle. It is found in parts of Mexico and Central America, where it inhabits forested and semi-wooded environments. This beetle has an elongated, somewhat flattened body with a typically uniform brown to chestnut coloration (reflected in the name castanea). Its surface is often matte or finely textured, helping it blend in with bark and dead wood. A key feature is the relatively flat front of the head, along with long, slender antennae. C. castanea has larvae that are wood-borers, developing inside dead or dying wood where they feed on plant tissues and help break down woody material. Adults are typically nocturnal or crepuscular, often attracted to lights, and may be found resting on trunks or branches during the day.

Diet

  • Adults: Feed on leaves and tender plant tissues, although detailed host-plant information for Cymatonycha castanea is limited.

  • Larvae: Larval biology is poorly documented; as with other members of its group, larvae are presumed to feed on plant roots or other plant tissues.

Range

  • Cymatonycha castanea is a Neotropical leaf beetle associated with Mexico and Central America.

  • It occurs in tropical and subtropical regions, including western and southern Mexico.

  • Records from Guerrero place it within the broader fauna of the Pacific coastal region.

Habitat

  • Associated with tropical dry forests, tropical deciduous forests, woodland edges, secondary vegetation, scrubland, and forest clearings.

  • Adults are generally found on vegetation, particularly in warm, sunny conditions.

  • Larval habitat is poorly known.

Size

  • Adult length: approximately 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in).

  • Small, compact beetle with a reddish-brown to chestnut-coloured body.

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