top of page

Beetles of Zihuatanejo

ORDER COLEOPTERA

Mestorus crinitus
Mestorus crinitus

-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)

-Snout and Bark Beetles (Superfamily Curculionoidea)

-​True Weevils (Family Curculionidae)

-​Broad-nosed Weevils (Subfamily Entimi

-Tribe Cneorhinini

-Genus Mestorus

-Mestorus crinitus Mestorus crinitus is a species of broad-nosed weevil in the family Curculionidae that occurs in Mexico and parts of the southwestern United States. Like other broad-nosed weevils, it has a compact, oval body, a short, broad snout (rostrum), and elbowed antennae.

Adults are herbivorous and feed on the foliage of a variety of native plants, while the larvae develop below ground, feeding on plant roots. Mestorus crinitus is most commonly encountered in dry woodlands, scrublands, and desert-edge habitats, where its mottled coloration provides excellent camouflage against bark, rocks, and leaf litter. Adults are often active during the warmer months and may be found on shrubs or low vegetation, although they are generally inconspicuous and can be difficult to detect.


Diet

  • Adults: Primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves, buds and tender shoots of plants. The specific host plants of M. crinitus are not well documented.

  • Larvae: Develop in the soil, where they feed on plant roots and other underground plant tissues.

  • As with many broad-nosed weevils, the larvae are rarely encountered because they remain concealed below ground.

Range

  • Mestorus crinitus is a Mexican broad-nosed weevil in the family Curculionidae, subfamily Entiminae, tribe Cneorhinini.

  • It is associated with western and southern Mexico, including tropical and subtropical environments.

  • M. crinitus occurs around Zihuatanejo, where it can be occasionally encountered on vegetation in tropical dry forest and surrounding disturbed habitats.

Habitat

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

  • Adults are generally found on foliage, stems and low vegetation, particularly in warm conditions.

  • Larvae remain concealed in soil around plant roots.

Size

  • Adult length: approximately 8–12 mm (0.31–0.47 in).

  • Body robust and broadly oval, with a short, broad rostrum characteristic of Entiminae.

  • The body is covered with fine scales and hairs, giving it a somewhat rough or hairy appearance.


bottom of page