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Beetles of Zihuatanejo

ORDER COLEOPTERA

Chelymorpha Tortoise Beetle
Chelymorpha (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)

-​Cucujiform Beetles (Infraorder Cucujiformia)

-Leaf Beetles and Allies (Superfamily Chrysomeloidea)

-Leaf Beetles Family (Chrysomelidae)

-Tortoise and Hispine Beetles (Subfamily Cassidinae)

-Tribe Mesomphaliini​

-Genus Chelymorpha


Chelymorpha is a genus of beetles belonging to the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as tortoise beetles. Chelymorpha beetles have a rounded, dome-shaped body that resembles a tortoise shell. They possess a hardened exoskeleton that can provide protection against predators. Both adult beetles and larvae feed primarily on the leaves of plants, particularly those in the Asteraceae (daisy) family.

Diet

  • Adults and larvae: Feed primarily on leaves, with many species specialising on plants in the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae) and nightshade family (Solanaceae).

  • Common host plants include Ipomoea, Solanum, and related genera.

  • Feeding produces holes and irregular areas of leaf damage; some species consume foliage extensively.

Range

  • The genus Chelymorpha is distributed throughout Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America.

  • Numerous species occur in Mexico, including the Pacific coast and Guerrero.

  • Greatest diversity occurs in tropical and subtropical regions.

Habitat

  • Inhabits tropical dry forests, tropical rainforests, thorn scrub, woodland edges, secondary forests, grasslands, agricultural areas, gardens, and disturbed vegetation.

  • Adults and larvae are closely associated with their host plants, usually remaining on the foliage.

  • Many species are especially common in warm, sunny clearings and along forest edges.

Size

  • Adult length: approximately 7–15 mm (0.28–0.6 in).

  • Body broadly oval and strongly convex, often with brightly coloured or metallic elytra.

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