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Beetles of Zihuatanejo

ORDER COLEOPTERA

Chalcolepidius Click Beetles
Chalcolepidius (Genus)

-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 Agrypninae

-Tribe Hemirhipini

-Genus Chalcolepidius


This genus is characterized by its glossy, metallic coloration and distinctive spine-and-groove click mechanism, which allows the beetle to flip and create an audible click. Chalcolepidius beetles are typically found in tropical and subtropical regions, often in forested areas or near decaying wood and leaf litter. They may also be attracted to lights at night, as many species are nocturnal. Larvae live in the soil or decaying wood, feeding on roots, fungi, and decaying organic matter. Some are also predatory, feeding on other soil invertebrates.

Diet

  • Larvae: Feed on decaying wood, roots, other plant material, and small soil-dwelling invertebrates, depending on the species. Some larvae are predatory.

  • Adults: Feed on plant material, nectar, pollen, flowers, and occasionally sap. Some adults feed very little.

Range

  • The genus Chalcolepidius is primarily Neotropical, distributed from the southern United States through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and into South America.

  • Mexico is an important centre of diversity for the genus, with numerous species occurring throughout the country, including Guerrero and the Pacific coastal region.

  • Most species are associated with tropical and subtropical habitats.

Habitat

  • Inhabits tropical dry forests, tropical rainforests, thorn scrub, woodland edges, secondary forests, and agricultural landscapes.

  • Larvae develop in soil, rotting wood, roots, and decaying plant material.

  • Adults are commonly found on tree trunks, foliage, flowers, and fallen logs, and some are attracted to lights at night.

Size

  • Adult length: approximately 15–50 mm (0.6–2.0 in), depending on species.

  • Large, robust beetles with elongated bodies and the characteristic click-beetle mechanism.

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