Catapastus
Casey, T.L., 1892
flower weevils
Species Guides
3Catapastus is a of flower weevils in the Curculionidae, comprising nine described . The genus was established by Thomas Lincoln Casey in 1892. Species are distributed across North America, with records from the United States and Mexico. Members are small beetles associated with flowers, consistent with the for the group.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Catapastus: //ˌkætəˈpæstəs//
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Identification
Catapastus are distinguished from other flower weevils by a combination of rostral and elytral characteristics, though specific diagnostic features require examination of . The name refers to the squamose (-like) rostrum in some species, as seen in C. squamirostris. Species-level identification relies on subtle differences in coloration, scaling patterns, and rostral proportions described in Casey's original .
Habitat
Associated with flowering vegetation; specific plants remain undocumented for most .
Distribution
North America, primarily the United States (with records from multiple states) and Mexico. The appears to have a temperate to subtropical distribution based on collection localities of constituent .
Similar Taxa
- AnthonomusBoth are flower-associated Curculionidae with similar body plans; Catapastus is distinguished by rostral scaling and elytral setation patterns per Casey's descriptions.
- TachypterellusAnother of small flower weevils; Catapastus differs in rostral structure and the arrangement of .
More Details
Nomenclatural history
Casey described the majority of in this , with two additional species described by Linell (1897) and Champion (1909). The genus has received limited modern taxonomic revision.
Collection records
iNaturalist records indicate the is rarely encountered by observers, with only 10 observations documented as of the data source date.