Diet

• Adults: Primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves, buds and tender plant tissues. Many species are associated with woody plants, shrubs and agricultural crops.

• Larvae: Generally develop in the soil, where they feed on plant roots and underground tissues.

• Some species can become agricultural pests when adults cause significant foliage damage or larvae attack roots.

Range

• Exophthalmus is a predominantly Neotropical genus, with species distributed through Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America.

• Mexico has numerous species, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.

• Species occur in Guerrero, including habitats around the Zihuatanejo region.

Habitat

• Found in tropical dry forest, tropical deciduous forest, rainforest, woodland edges, scrub, agricultural areas and secondary vegetation.

• Adults occur primarily on foliage and stems, while larvae live underground around the roots of host plants.

• Many species are most active during warm, humid conditions following rainfall.

Size

• Adult length: approximately 6–15 mm (0.24–0.6 in).

• Body generally robust and oval, with a broad rostrum and elbowed antennae.

• Many species have striking metallic green, blue, bronze or grey scales, while others are brown or mottled.