Diet

• Adults: Primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves, flowers and tender plant tissues. Many species are associated with leguminous plants (Fabaceae).

• Larvae: Feed on plant material and organic debris while developing in a protective case.

• The exact host plants vary among species.

Range

• Megalostomis is a predominantly Neotropical genus of leaf beetles, distributed from Mexico through Central America and into South America.

• Several species occur in Mexico, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.

• Megalostomis occurs in Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo region, where suitable tropical vegetation provides habitat.

• Around Zihuatanejo, these beetles are occasional, and are most likely to be encountered on flowering plants and foliage during the warmer months.

Habitat

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

• Adults are generally found on foliage, flowers and young shoots, particularly on legumes.

• Larvae remain close to the ground or among plant debris while developing inside their protective cases.

Size

• Adult length: approximately 5–12 mm (0.2–0.47 in), depending on species.

• Body generally oval, robust and strongly convex.

• Many species have striking metallic green, blue, bronze or reddish coloration, while others are brown or black with contrasting markings.