Diet

• Adults: Feed primarily on the leaves, flowers, pollen, stems, and fruits of plants in the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae), including wild and cultivated squashes, pumpkins, gourds, cucumbers, and melons.

• Larvae: Feed on the roots and underground stems of cucurbit plants.

• Some species also feed on flowers and foliage of other herbaceous plants when cucurbits are unavailable.

Range

• The genus Acalymma is distributed from Canada and the United States through Mexico, Central America, and into northern South America.

• Numerous species occur throughout Mexico, including the Pacific coast of Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo region.

• They are especially common wherever wild or cultivated cucurbits are found.

Habitat

• Inhabits tropical dry forests, woodland edges, agricultural fields, orchards, gardens, secondary forests, and disturbed habitats.

• Adults are commonly found on the leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits of Cucurbita and other members of the Cucurbitaceae.

• Larvae develop in the soil around the roots of host plants.

Size

• Adult length: 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in)

• Larval length: Up to 8–10 mm (0.3–0.4 in) before pupation.