Diet

• Adults: Primarily feed on leaves, flowers and tender plant tissues, although some species take little food as adults.

• Larvae: Develop within leaves, stems and small branches, where they tunnel through plant tissues.

• Some species are associated with particular shrubs, trees or herbaceous plants, while others use a broader range of hosts.

Range

• Pachyschelus is a large genus of small jewel beetles (Buprestidae) found throughout the Americas, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.

• Around Zihuatanejo, Pachyschelus beetles are occasional, although some species may be locally common when their host plants are actively growing.

• Their tiny size means they are easily overlooked even when present.

Habitat

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

• Adults are most likely to be encountered on sun-exposed foliage, particularly during warm weather.

• Look carefully at the leaves of shrubs and small trees; adults often sit motionless on the upper surface and can be difficult to distinguish from small spots or leaf damage.

• Larvae develop concealed within leaves, stems and branches.

Size

• Adult length: approximately 2–6 mm (0.08–0.24 in).

• Small, compact and generally wedge-shaped, with the hard, polished body typical of jewel beetles.

• Many species display brilliant metallic green, blue, bronze, copper or purple coloration.

• Their small size distinguishes them from the much larger Lampetis and other conspicuous buprestid beetles.