Neltumius texanus

(Schaeffer, 1904)

Snakewood Bruchid

Neltumius texanus is a of leaf beetle in the Chrysomelidae, found in Central America and North America. It is commonly known as the Snakewood Bruchid. The Neltumius was previously placed in the family Bruchidae (seed beetles) before that family was subsumed into Chrysomelidae. The specific epithet "texanus" indicates a connection to Texas, though the precise nature of this association (type locality or broader distribution) is not detailed in available sources. The species is represented by relatively few observations, with only 6 records documented on iNaturalist.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Neltumius texanus: //nɛlˈtu.mi.us tɛkˈsa.nus//

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Distribution

Central America and North America. GBIF records confirm presence in Middle America and North America.

Misconceptions

The "Snakewood Bruchid" reflects the historical classification of this in the Bruchidae (seed beetles), which are now treated as a (Bruchinae) within Chrysomelidae. The name "bruchid" persists in the common name despite the taxonomic reclassification.

More Details

Taxonomic History

The Neltumius was historically classified in the Bruchidae, a group commonly known as seed beetles or bean weevils. Modern treats Bruchidae as the Bruchinae within the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae, making Neltumius texanus a member of Chrysomelidae under current classification systems.