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Beetles of Zihuatanejo

ORDER COLEOPTERA

Hologymnetis cinerea
Hologymnetis cinerea

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-Beetles (Order Coleoptera​​)

-​Water, Rove, Scarab, Long-horned, Leaf, and Snout Beetles (Suborder Polyphaga)

-Scarabaeiform Beetles (Infraorder Scarabaeiformia)

-Scarabs, Stag Beetles, and Allies (Superfamily Scarabaeoidea)

-Scarabs (Family Scarabaeidae)

-Fruit and Flower Chafers (Subfamily Cetoniinae)

-Flower Scarabs (Tribe Gymnetini)

-Subtribe Gymnetina

-Genus Hologymnetis

-Hologymnetis cinerea


Hologymnetis cinerea, a the Flower Scarab Beetle, is a beetle species belonging to the scarab family, Scarabaeidae. Flower scarabs are often active during the day and feed on pollen, nectar, and sometimes ripe fruit or decaying organic matter. They are frequently found on flowers, where they also play a role in pollination, although they can sometimes damage petals.

Diet

  • Adults: Feed on flowers, nectar, pollen, plant sap and ripe or fermenting fruit. They may also visit tree wounds and sap flows.

  • Larvae: Develop in decaying organic material, including rotting vegetation, leaf litter, compost and other decomposing plant matter in the soil.

  • Adults may be attracted to fermenting fruit and sap.

Range

  • Hologymnetis cinerea is a Neotropical flower chafer distributed primarily through Mexico and Central America.

  • It is widespread in Mexico, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.

  • The species occurs in Guerrero, including the broader Zihuatanejo region.

Habitat

  • Found in tropical dry forest, tropical deciduous forest, woodland, scrub, forest edges, orchards, gardens and disturbed vegetation.

  • Adults are commonly encountered on flowers, foliage, fruit and sap flows.

  • Larvae develop in soil containing decomposing vegetation and other organic material.

Size

  • Adult length: approximately 15–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in).

  • Body robust, oval and strongly convex.

  • Usually grey, grey-brown or dull brown, with a somewhat dusty or velvety appearance.

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