More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Beetles of Zihuatanejo
ORDER COLEOPTERA
Red-legged Disonycha
Disonycha collata
-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)
-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)
-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)
-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)
-Flea Beetles (Tribe Alticini)
-Subtribe Disonychina
-Genus Disonycha
-Disonycha scriptipennois
-Disonycha collata
Disonycha collata is a species of flea beetle in the family Chrysomelidae (leaf beetles), within the tribe Alticini. It is found in Mexico and parts of Central America, where it inhabits a variety of vegetated environments, especially in warm, sunlit areas. D. collata has enlarged hind legs adapted for jumping. When disturbed, it can leap suddenly and quickly, making it difficult to capture or observe closely. Adults feed on leaves, producing small holes or notches. Larvae typically feed on plant tissues, often on roots or foliage depending on the species.
Diet
Adults: Feed on the leaves of host plants, producing the characteristic small, round feeding holes associated with flea beetles.
Larvae: Feed primarily on plant foliage or other plant tissues, although the larval biology and specific host association of D. collata are not well documented.
As with other Disonycha, host-plant relationships can be quite specific.
Range
Disonycha collata is a Neotropical flea beetle occurring in Mexico and Central America.
It is associated with tropical and subtropical regions of Mexico, including the Pacific slope and Guerrero.
Its distribution appears to be relatively localized compared with some of the more widespread Disonycha species.
Habitat
Associated with tropical dry forests, tropical deciduous forests, woodland edges, secondary vegetation, riparian habitats, and disturbed areas.
Adults occur on the foliage of their host plants, particularly in sunny clearings and forest edges.
Larval habitat is less well documented.
Size
Adult length: approximately 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in).
Body oval and compact, with enlarged hind legs characteristic of flea beetles.