Curculionoidea

Curculionoidea

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Curculionoidea: /kʊərˌkjʊliˈoʊniˌoʊdiə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Fungus Weevil (31171899176) by Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Euparius paganus - inat 90115012 by {{{name}}}. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Euparius lugubris - inat 216385206 by {{{name}}}. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Euparius marmoreus by Beatriz Moisset. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Goniocloeus bimaculatus (49847600562) by Christina Butler from Georgia, United States. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Anthribus-nebulosus-04-fws by Francisco Welter-Schultes. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

Weevils are a diverse group of beetles within the superfamily Curculionoidea, known for their distinctive elongated snouts and herbivorous diets. They include numerous species that are economically significant as pests, as well as species used in biological control efforts.

Physical Characteristics

Weevils are typically small, usually less than 6 mm (1⁄4 in) in length. They possess an elongated snout (rostrum) that houses chewing mouthparts. In more derived weevils, the rostrum features a groove for folding the first segment of their antennae. Some weevils exhibit significant sexual dimorphism in size, with males often being larger than females.

Identification Tips

Look for the characteristic elongated snout which hosts chewing mouthparts. Many weevils can also be identified by their antennae structure, particularly in distinguishing primitive weevils with straight antennae from true weevils with geniculate (elbowed) antennae.

Habitat

Weevils are found in various habitats, primarily associated with plant material as they are herbivorous and often inhabit areas where grains, crops, or vegetation are present.

Distribution

Approximately 97,000 species of weevils have been described, with a significant diversity in North America and an estimated total of 220,000 species worldwide.

Diet

Most weevils are herbivorous, feeding on various plant materials, including leaves, flowers, and seeds. Some species are known to damage stored grains.

Life Cycle

Weevils typically undergo complete metamorphosis, with life stages including egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larvae often develop within the plant material they feed on.

Reproduction

Weevils reproduce sexually, with some exhibiting extreme sexual dimorphism which relates to their ecological roles, such as egg deposition in specific plants.

Predators

Weevils are preyed upon by various insectivorous species, including birds, predatory insects, and parasitoids.

Ecosystem Role

Weevils play significant roles in their ecosystems as herbivores that influence plant health and as prey for a variety of predators. Some weevils are also used in biological control of invasive plants.

Economic Impact

Many weevil species are considered agricultural pests, with well-known examples like the boll weevil and grain weevil causing significant damage to crops and stored grains.

Collecting Methods

  • Light traps
  • Pitfall traps
  • Hand collection

Preservation Methods

  • Ethanol
  • Pinning
  • Drying

Evolution

Weevils belong to the superfamily Curculionoidea, which has a rich fossil record dating back to the Middle-Late Jurassic period. The evolutionary relationships among different families within Curculionoidea are still undergoing refinement based on phylogenomic data.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Not all beetles with 'weevil' in their name are true weevils; for instance, the biscuit weevil belongs to a different family (Ptinidae) despite having a similar appearance.

Tags

  • Curculionoidea
  • Weevils
  • Beetles
  • Insects