top of page

Beetles of Zihuatanejo

ORDER COLEOPTERA

Ischyropalpus
Ischyropalpus (Genus)

-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)

-​Cucujiform Beetles (Infraorder Cucujiformia)

-Darkling Beetles and Allies (Superfamily Tenebrionoidea

-Ant-like Flower Beetles (Family Anthicidae)

-Subfamily Anthicinae

-Genus Ischyropalpus


Ischyropalpus is a genus of small beetles in the family Anthicidae. These beetles are commonly referred to as antlike flower beetles because of their narrow bodies, long legs, and constricted “neck-like” pronotum that give them a superficial resemblance to ants. They are most often found in dry, sandy, or open habitats, including fields, grasslands, dunes, and under debris. Many species are active on the ground, running quickly when disturbed. Adults generally feed on small arthropods, organic debris, or plant material, and they may also be found visiting flowers.

Diet

  • Adults: Feed primarily on pollen, nectar, flowers, foliage and tender plant tissues, although adult feeding varies among species.

  • Larvae: Develop within dead, dying or weakened woody plant material, where they tunnel through stems and branches.

  • The immature stages are concealed within the wood and are rarely encountered.

Range

  • Ischyropalpus is a Neotropical genus of longhorn beetles, occurring primarily in Mexico, Central America and northern South America.

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

  • The genus is associated with the diverse Cerambycid fauna of Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo region.

Habitat

  • Found in tropical dry forest, tropical deciduous forest, tropical rainforest, woodland edges, secondary forest and disturbed wooded habitats.

  • Larvae develop in dead branches, fallen logs, stems and weakened woody plants.

  • Adults may be found on tree trunks, foliage, flowers and recently fallen wood.

Size

  • Adult length: approximately 8–20 mm (0.3–0.8 in), depending on species.

  • Body elongate and cylindrical, with relatively long antennae typical of Cerambycidae.


bottom of page