top of page

Beetles of Zihuatanejo

ORDER COLEOPTERA

Cerotoma atrofasciata
Cerotoma atrofasciata

-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)

-Tribe Luperini

-Subtribe Diabroticina

-Genus Cerotoma

-Cerotoma atrofasciata


Cerotoma is a genus of beetles within the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as leaf beetles. Many Cerotoma species exhibit bright colors, including yellows, reds and oranges. Adults and larvae of Cerotoma beetles primarily feed on the leaves of their host plants, which can include members of the Brassicaceae (cabbage family) and other plant families.

Diet

  • Adults: Feed primarily on the leaves, flowers, and young pods of legumes (Fabaceae), including beans and other herbaceous legumes.

  • Larvae: Feed mainly on roots and underground portions of host plants.

  • Adults can create characteristic small holes and irregular feeding damage in leaves.

Range

  • Cerotoma atrofasciata is a Neotropical leaf beetle occurring in Mexico and Central America, with its range extending into parts of northern South America.

  • In Mexico, it is associated with tropical and subtropical regions, including the Pacific coast and Guerrero.

  • It may occur in the Zihuatanejo region where suitable leguminous host plants are present.

Habitat

  • Inhabits tropical dry forests, tropical deciduous vegetation, woodland edges, grasslands, agricultural fields, gardens, and secondary vegetation.

  • Adults are generally found on the foliage of leguminous plants, while larvae develop in the soil around host-plant roots.

Size

  • Adult length: approximately 5–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in).

  • Body oval and compact, typically with contrasting dark markings on a yellowish or reddish-brown background.

bottom of page