Diet

• Adults and nymphs: Feed by piercing plant tissues and sucking plant sap from leaves, stems, flowers, fruits and developing seeds.

• The species is associated with woody and herbaceous plants, although detailed information on its preferred host plants is limited.

• Feeding may cause localized damage to young shoots and developing fruits, particularly when several bugs are concentrated on the same plant.

Range

• Chariesterus alternatus is a leaf-footed bug (Coreidae) in the subfamily Coreinae.

• It is a Neotropical species, occurring in Mexico and extending into Central America and northern South America.

• It is occasionally sighted in Zihua, where the tropical dry forest and surrounding vegetation provide suitable habitat.

Habitat

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

• Adults are generally encountered on shrubs, vines and small trees, particularly where fresh growth is available.

• Around Zihua, examine foliage, stems and branches, especially during the rainy season when vegetation is actively growing.

• Their brown coloration and irregular body outline provide effective camouflage against bark and dried vegetation.

Size

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

• Body elongated and fairly robust, with a distinctly angular and sculptured appearance.

• Generally brown to reddish-brown, with alternating darker and lighter areas that contribute to the species name alternatus.

• The pronotum and abdomen bear noticeable projections, while the hind legs have the modified structure characteristic of leaf-footed bugs.