Peltophorus

Decelle, 1972

Species Guides

Peltophorus adustus
Peltophorus polymitus(Speckled Agave Weevil)

Peltophorus is a of weevils in the Curculionidae ( Baridinae, tribe Zygopini). The genus contains multiple distributed in Mexico, including P. polymitus and P. adustus. Species in this genus are associated with succulent plants, particularly agaves and Opuntia cacti. P. polymitus has been documented feeding on at least seven Agave species and has been recorded in wild agave plantations, though it has not been formally designated as an agricultural pest.

Peltophorus adustus by (c) Lon Brehmer, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Lon Brehmer. Used under a CC-BY license.

Conoderinae (10.3897-zookeys.683.12080) Figures 19–36 by Anzaldo SS (2017) Review of the genera of Conoderinae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. ZooKeys 683: 51-138. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.683.12080. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Peltophorus: //ˌpɛl.toʊˈfɔː.rəs//

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Images

Habitat

Wild agave plantations; associated with cultivated and wild stands of succulent plants including Agave and Opuntia . Specific records include wild maguey alto (Agave inaequidens) plantations in Michoacán, Mexico.

Distribution

Mexico. Documented from multiple states including Michoacán and Durango. P. adustus represents a first report for Mexico, indicating ongoing range documentation for the .

Diet

Phytophagous. P. polymitus feeds on various Agave . P. adustus has been recorded on Opuntia robusta and Opuntia tomentosa.

Host Associations

Agave angustifolia - food plantrecorded of P. polymitus
Agave cupreata - food plantrecorded of P. polymitus
Agave durangensis - food plantrecorded of P. polymitus
Agave kerchovei - food plantrecorded of P. polymitus
Agave palmeri - food plantrecorded of P. polymitus
Agave tequilana - food plantrecorded of P. polymitus
Agave inaequidens - food plantfirst documented occurrence for P. polymitus; wild maguey alto plantation in Michoacán
Opuntia robusta - food plantnew association for P. adustus in Mexico
Opuntia tomentosa - food plantnew association for P. adustus in Mexico

Behavior

Causes visible damage to plants. One study documented 166 specimens and 172 larvae in a single wild plantation, suggesting localized abundance.

Human Relevance

Associated with economically important plants: Agave tequilana is used for tequila production, and Agave inaequidens is used for mezcal production, food, and medical purposes by rural . Despite this association, P. polymitus has not been formally designated as a pest .

More Details

Molecular research

First mitochondrial COI gene sequencing and molecular phylogenetic analysis for P. polymitus has been conducted, with analysis based on COI sequences of American Zygopini .