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True Bugs of Zihuatanejo

SUBORDER HETEROPTERA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-​True Bugs, Hoppers, Aphids, and Allies (Order Hemiptera)

-True Bugs (Suborder Heteroptera)​

-Pentatomomorph Bugs (Infraorder Pentatomomorpha)

-Seed Bugs and Allies (Superfamily lygaeoidea)

-Family Lygaeidea​

-Subfamily Lygaeidae​

-Tribe Lygaeinae​

-Genus Dalmochrimnus


Dalmochrimnus is a genus of seed bugs in the family Lygaeidae, within the subfamily Lygaeinae. Members of this group are typically small to medium-sized true bugs with elongated bodies and well-developed wings, often showing contrasting patterns of red, orange, and black—a common trait in Lygaeinae that can serve as warning coloration. These bugs possess a piercing-sucking rostrum used to feed primarily on seeds and plant fluids, often from herbaceous plants. Both adults and nymphs may be found on host plants, where nymphs resemble smaller, wingless versions of the adults.

Dalmochrimnus Seed Bugs

Dalmochrimnus (Genus)

Diet

  • Adults: Feed by piercing plant tissues with their straw-like mouthparts and sucking plant sap from leaves, stems, buds and developing fruits.

  • Nymphs: Also feed on plant juices and generally remain associated with suitable host plants throughout their development.

Range

  • Acanthocephala alata is a leaf-footed bug (Coreidae) in the subfamily Coreinae, tribe Acanthocephalini, genus Acanthocephala.

  • The species occurs in Mexico and Central America, particularly in tropical and subtropical environments.

  • It is occasionally sighted in Zihua, where suitable tropical vegetation provides habitat.

  • Its relatively large size makes it conspicuous when encountered, although its brown colouration can provide excellent camouflage among branches and dried vegetation.

Habitat

  • Found in tropical dry forest, tropical deciduous forest, woodland, scrub, forest edges, gardens and agricultural areas.

  • Adults and nymphs are usually found on shrubs, vines and trees, particularly where young shoots, flowers or developing fruits are present.

  • In Zihua, check stems and branches as well as leaves, since these bugs can remain motionless and blend into the vegetation.

  • Adults may also occasionally be attracted to lights at night.

Size

  • Adult length: approximately 15–25 mm (0.6–1.0 in).

  • Body elongated and robust, with the characteristic expanded hind tibiae of leaf-footed bugs.

  • Generally brown, reddish-brown or dark brown, sometimes with contrasting lighter markings.

  • The head and thorax bear prominent spines and angular projections, giving Acanthocephala its distinctive “spine-headed” appearance.

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