Diet

• Adults: Primarily feed on flowers, pollen, nectar and plant foliage. Some species are attracted to ripening or fermenting fruit.

• Larvae: Develop in the soil, feeding on plant roots and decaying organic matter.

• Because the larvae live underground, they are rarely encountered unless soil is disturbed.

Range

• Strigoderma is a genus of shining leaf chafer beetles in the family Scarabaeidae, subfamily Rutelinae.

• The genus is primarily New World, with species occurring from the United States through Mexico, Central America and South America.

• Mexico has a diverse Strigoderma fauna, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.

• It is occasionally sighted in Zihua, particularly during the rainy season, when adult scarabs become more active and flowering vegetation is abundant.

Habitat

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

• Adults are often found on flowers and foliage, especially during warm weather.

• Around Zihua, flowering trees and shrubs are good places to look, particularly after the first substantial rains.

• Adults may also come to artificial lights at night.

• Larvae develop underground in soil containing roots and decomposing organic material.

Size

• Adult length: approximately 7–15 mm (0.28–0.6 in), depending on species.

• Body generally oval, compact and strongly convex.

• Many species have a smooth, polished appearance with metallic green, bronze, copper, blue, brown or black coloration.

• Some have contrasting spots, bands or patches on the elytra.