Diet

• Adults: Primarily feed on small insects, aphids, caterpillars and other soft-bodied invertebrates, although some species also consume nectar and pollen.

• Larvae: Predatory, living in leaf litter, soil, decaying vegetation and beneath bark, where they hunt small insects and other invertebrates.

• This combination of predatory adults and larvae makes Silini useful predators in terrestrial ecosystems.

Range

• Mexico supports several Silini species, particularly in temperate, subtropical and montane environments.

• When present locally, they are most likely to be found during the rainy season, when flowering vegetation and insect prey are abundant.

Habitat

• Often associated with grassland, meadows, woodland edges, forest margins and flowering vegetation.

• Adults may be found on flowers and foliage, where they hunt small insects or feed on pollen and nectar.

• Larvae generally remain hidden in leaf litter, soil and decomposing vegetation.

• Around Zihuatanejo, the most promising places to look would be lush vegetation along streams, forest edges and seasonally moist areas.

Size

• Adult length: approximately 5–15 mm (0.2–0.6 in), depending on species.

• Body generally elongate and soft-bodied, with relatively long legs and antennae.

• Colouration varies considerably but commonly includes black, brown, orange, yellow or reddish areas.