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Beetles of Zihuatanejo

ORDER COLEOPTERA

Cardiophorus aptopoides
Cardiophorus aptopoides

-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)

-Elateriform Beetles (Infraorder Elateriformia)

-Click, Firefly, and Soldier Beetles (Superfamily Elateroidea)

-Click Beetles (Family Elateridae)

-Subfamily Cardiophorinae

-Genus Cardiophorus

-Cardiophorus aptopoides


Cardiophorus is a genus within the Elateridae family, known as click beetles. Species in this genus exhibit the characteristic clicking mechanism of their family, which helps them escape from predators and right themselves if overturned. The larvae are commonly referred to as wireworms and primarily live in the soil. They feed on plant roots and decaying organic matter. Some Cardiophorus larvae are known to be predatory, feeding on small soil-dwelling invertebrates.

Diet

  • Larvae: Feed on soil-dwelling invertebrates, insect larvae, roots, and decaying organic matter, although the diet varies among Cardiophorus species.

  • Adults: Feed on nectar, pollen, plant tissues, and small insects, with some adults feeding very little.

Range

  • Cardiophorus aptopoides is a Neotropical click beetle associated with Mexico and Central America.

  • In Mexico, it occurs in warm regions and has been recorded from the Pacific coastal region, including Guerrero.

  • It is associated primarily with tropical and subtropical habitats.

Habitat

  • Found in tropical dry forests, tropical deciduous forests, woodland edges, secondary vegetation, and open forest clearings.

  • Larvae develop in soil, leaf litter, decaying wood, or other organic substrates.

  • Adults are commonly encountered on vegetation and flowers, particularly in warm weather.

Size

  • Adult length: approximately 5–8 mm (0.2–0.3 in).

  • Body elongate and somewhat flattened, with the characteristic shape of members of the click beetle family Elateridae.

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