Diet

• Larvae: Primarily predatory, feeding on the larvae and pupae of other insects, particularly wood-boring beetles and moths found beneath bark and in dead wood.

• Adults: Predominantly feed on small insects, insect larvae, pollen, and nectar. Many species visit flowers where they hunt prey and obtain floral resources.

Range

• The subfamily Clerinae is distributed worldwide, with its greatest diversity in tropical and subtropical regions.

• Numerous genera and species occur throughout Mexico, including the Pacific coast of Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo region.

• Members occupy habitats from lowland tropical forests to mountainous woodland.

Habitat

• Found primarily in tropical and subtropical forests, woodland edges, secondary forests, and forest clearings.

• Larvae commonly live beneath loose bark, inside dead wood, or in galleries created by other wood-boring insects.

• Adults are frequently encountered on tree trunks, fallen logs, foliage, and flowers.

Size

• Adult length: approximately 4–20 mm (0.16–0.8 in), depending on the genus and species.

• Bodies are generally elongate and often brightly coloured or patterned.