top of page

Beetles of Zihuatanejo

ORDER COLEOPTERA

Disonycha leptolineata
Disonycha leptolineata

-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)​​

-Skeletonizing Leaf and Flea Beetles (Subfamily Galerucinae)

-Flea Beetles (Tribe Alticini)

-Subtribe Disonychina

-Genus Disonycha

-Disonycha leptolineata


Disonycha leaf beetles are a diverse group of insects belonging to the family Chrysomelidae. They are commonly known as flea beetles due to their ability to jump long distances. They are herbivorous and primarily feed on the leaves of various plants, sometimes causing significant damage to crops. Disonycha species often target specific plants, such as members of the mustard family (Brassicaceae) and other broadleaf plants.

Diet

  • Adults: Feed on the leaves of host plants, creating the small, round feeding holes characteristic of flea beetles.

  • Larvae: Feed on plant tissues, although the larval biology and precise host-plant associations of D. leptolineata are not well documented.

  • As with other Disonycha, host-plant relationships may be relatively specialized.

Range

  • Disonycha leptolineata is a Neotropical flea beetle associated with Mexico and Central America.

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

  • Its distribution is considerably less widespread than that of some of the better-known North American Disonycha species.

Habitat

  • Associated with tropical dry forests, tropical deciduous forests, woodland edges, secondary vegetation, riparian areas, and disturbed habitats.

  • Adults occur on the foliage of host plants, particularly in sunny forest edges and clearings.

  • Larval habitat is poorly documented.

Size

  • Adult length: approximately 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in).

  • Body compact and oval, with enlarged hind femora that provide the characteristic flea-beetle jumping ability.

bottom of page