Mesites rufipennis
LeConte, J.L., 1878
Mesites rufipennis is a of true weevil (Curculionidae) described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1878. It is a small native to North America. The specific epithet "rufipennis" refers to reddish wing covers. Very little is known about its or .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Mesites rufipennis: //ˈmɛ.sɪ.tɛs ˌruː.fɪˈpɛn.ɪs//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Appearance
Small weevil with reddish-brown () , as indicated by the specific epithet. Body form typical of the Mesites: compact, with a moderately elongated rostrum. Exact size and color pattern details require specimen examination.
Distribution
North America. Specific associations and precise range boundaries are undocumented.
Similar Taxa
- Other Mesites species share similar small size and general body form; require detailed morphological examination to distinguish
- Small brown Curculionidae in North AmericaNumerous unrelated weevil overlap in size and general appearance; rostrum structure and elytral coloration help separate Mesites
More Details
Taxonomic Note
The Mesites is small and poorly studied in North America. Mesites rufipennis was described from limited material in 1878, and modern revisionary work is lacking. The is rarely collected, with only 9 observations recorded in iNaturalist as of source date.
Nomenclature
Authorship is properly cited as LeConte, J.L., 1878. The name has been provisionally accepted in some databases, suggesting possible taxonomic uncertainty requiring further study.