Narberdia
Burke, H.R., 1976
Species Guides
1Narberdia is a of true weevils in the Curculionidae, tribe Anthonomini. The genus was when described by Burke in 1976 from the United States, but expanded to at least five following descriptions of four additional species from México and Rica in 2017. All species are intimately associated with plants of the genus Bernardia (Euphorbiaceae). is pronounced, with females possessing a longer, more slender rostrum and a distinctive tibial tooth absent in males.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Narberdia: /nɑːrˈbɛr.di.ə/
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Identification
Distinguished from similar Anthonomini by combination of body characters and male lobe : broad at apex and strongly narrowed near apex. Most closely related to members of the Anthonomus squamosus group. in rostrum proportions and tibial armature aids identification within the . Association with Bernardia plants provides additional diagnostic context.
Images
Appearance
True weevils with characteristic elongated rostrum. evident: females have more slender and relatively longer rostrum than males. Antennal scape attaches near midpoint of rostrum in females, beyond midpoint in males. Females possess a tooth adjacent to the mucro on pro- and mesotibia; this tooth is absent in males. Male lobe broad at apex and strongly narrowed near apex.
Habitat
Intimately associated with plants of the Bernardia (Euphorbiaceae). Collected at elevations ranging from 62 m to 2288 m.
Distribution
México (Jalisco, Veracruz, Querétaro, Michoacán, Durango, Puebla) and Rica; originally described from the United States of America and extreme northern México.
Host Associations
- Bernardia spongiosa - plant of Narberdia cervantae in Jalisco, México
- Bernardia mexicana - plant of Narberdia sarukhani and N. dugesi
- Bernardia nicaraguensis - plant of Narberdia sarukhani in Veracruz and Rica
- Bernardia albida - plant of Narberdia dugesi in Querétaro and Michoacán
- Bernardia changii - plant of Narberdia ramuvei
- Bernardia rzedowskii - plant of Narberdia ramuvei
- Bernardia valdesii - plant of Narberdia ramuvei
Behavior
Use of more than one of plant as by a single weevil species has been observed; this pattern is common in Anthonomini.
Similar Taxa
- Anthonomus squamosus species groupNarberdia appears most closely related based on similar body characters and form of male lobe (broad at apex, strongly narrowed near apex)
More Details
Taxonomic history
The was from 1976 until 2017, when four additional were described, more than quadrupling the known diversity.
Host plant specificity
All known show intimate association with Bernardia (Euphorbiaceae), suggesting -level conservatism despite use of multiple Bernardia species by individual weevil species.