Diet

• Adults: Primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves and tender plant tissues. The exact host plants vary among species, and the food plants of several Sumitrosis species remain unknown.

• Larvae: Believed to feed within or on living plant tissues, although the immature biology of many species has not been well studied.

• Feeding damage can appear as small holes, scraped areas or irregular patches on leaves.

Range

• Sumitrosis is a genus of hispine leaf beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Cassidinae, tribe Chalepini.

• Several Sumitrosis species are documented from Guerrero, including S. rosea and S. distinctus.

• It is occasionally sighted in Zihua, particularly where suitable leafy vegetation occurs. The genus is represented in the local beetle fauna.

Habitat

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

• Adults are generally found directly on leaves and stems, where their elongated bodies and subdued colours can make them difficult to spot.

• Around Zihua, examine shrubs, vines and low-growing plants, particularly fresh foliage during and after the rainy season.

• Some species may be associated with particular host plants, so examining plants showing characteristic feeding damage can be productive.

Size

• Adult length: generally approximately 4–8 mm (0.16–0.31 in), depending on species.

• Body elongated and somewhat cylindrical, characteristic of hispine leaf beetles.

• The elytra often have rows of punctures, raised longitudinal ridges and serrated margins, giving the beetles a distinctly textured appearance.

• Colouration varies among species but commonly includes brown, reddish-brown, black, bronze or metallic tones.