To date (2012) L. tricolor is known in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana and Suriname. Like the other species of the genus present on the farm, they have a specific relationship with the plants of the order Zingiberales (heliconias, platanillas and related plants).
Females lay eggs individually and may spread their eggs among several different heliconia plants. Nymphs complete five instars on a single host plant. Both nymphs and adults feed on developing fruits, nectar from flowers, and phloem from inflorescences.
The generation time of Leptoscelis tricolor is approximately 30 days. The eggs hatch after approximately 14 days. First instar nymphs do not feed, but require access to water. This first instar is approximately two days, with the remaining nymphal instars five to ten days long. The cuticle of new adults remains soft for at least two days after hatching and reproductive maturity can occur within ten days. Adults can live up to 80 days or more.
