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Beetles of Zihuatanejo

ORDER COLEOPTERA

Jewel Weevil
Eurhinus magnificus

-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)

-Snout and Bark Beetles (Superfamily Curculionoidea)

-​True Weevils (Family Curculionidae)

-Flower Weevils (Subfamily Baridinae)

-Tribe Baridini

-Subtribe Eurhinina

-Genus Eurhinus

-Jewel Weevil (Eurhinus magnificus)


The Jewel Weevil (Eurhinus magnificus) is a vibrant, iridescent beetle found primarily in Central and South America. This species is known for its striking metallic colors, often appearing in shades of green, blue, and sometimes purple. These colors are produced not by pigmentation but by structural coloration, where microscopic textures on the beetle's exoskeleton refract light, creating a jewel-like appearance.

Diet

  • Adults: Feed primarily on leaves and tender stems of Cissus vines, particularly Cissus verticillata (Vitaceae). Adults also feed, mate and lay eggs on the host plant.

  • Larvae: Develop inside galls formed in the stems of Cissus. The larvae pass through five instars within the gall before pupating.

  • Other plant genera, including Andira, Vernonia and Mikania, have also been reported as host plants.

Range

  • Eurhinus magnificus is a Neotropical species distributed from coastal Mexico through Central America to Panama.

Habitat

  • Associated with tropical dry forest, tropical deciduous forest, tropical woodland, forest edges and secondary vegetation where suitable Cissus vines occur.

  • Adults are found on vines and foliage, while larvae remain concealed inside stem galls.

  • Cissus verticillata is particularly important because it can support the entire life cycle of the beetle.

Size

  • Adult length: approximately 5–7 mm (0.20–0.28 in).

  • Body compact and robust, with a prominent curved rostrum and relatively short legs.

  • The exoskeleton is exceptionally colourful, with brilliant metallic green, copper-red, gold and blue reflections.

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