Cionus scrophulariae

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Common Figwort Weevil, Figwort Weevil

Cionus scrophulariae is a Palaearctic weevil in the Curculionidae, commonly known as the figwort weevil. The is native to Europe and has been introduced to North America. Taxonomic revision in 2019 synonymized Cionus affinis and C. scrophulariae albosuturatus with this species. It belongs to a of 61 recognized species in the Palaearctic region.

Cionus.scrophulariae.-.calwer.34.11 by Emil Hochdanz
. Used under a Public domain license.

Cionus scrophulariae by Sandy Rae. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Cionus scrophulariae - larva by Sandy Rae. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cionus scrophulariae: /ˈsi.oʊ.nəs ˌskɹɒf.jʊˈlɛəriː.i/

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

Identification

Can be distinguished from other Cionus by the combination of morphological characters detailed in the 2019 revision, which synonymized previously separate . The species lacks the distinctive features that separate C. hortulanus, C. longicollis, and other closely related species in the .

Images

Habitat

Associated with figwort (Scrophularia) plants, based on its specific epithet and -level associations. Found in temperate environments where host plants occur.

Distribution

Native to Europe; present in North America as an introduced . Records from Belgium confirmed. Part of the broader Palaearctic distribution of the .

Diet

Larvae and feed on figwort (Scrophularia) plants. Specific feeding habits inferred from plant association and -level .

Host Associations

Scrophularia - plantSpecific epithet indicates association with figwort plants; larval and feeding confirmed

Ecological Role

Herbivore specializing on Scrophularia; contributes to of plants. Part of the weevil fauna of temperate European and introduced North American .

Human Relevance

Minor agricultural or horticultural significance due to feeding on figwort plants. Not a major pest of cultivated crops. Subject of taxonomic study due to historical confusion with related .

Similar Taxa

Cionus hortulanusHistorically confused; distinguished by morphological characters and associations. C. affinis was synonymized with C. scrophulariae rather than C. hortulanus in 2019 revision.
Cionus longicollisSimilar body form; C. longicollis atlanticus and C. longicollis montanus were elevated to rank in 2019, clarifying boundaries with C. scrophulariae.
Cionus alaudaAnother Palaearctic Cionus with overlapping distribution; distinguished by comparative in taxonomic keys.

More Details

Taxonomic History

The 2019 revision by Caldara and others in Zootaxa clarified long-standing confusion in the . Cionus affinis Brahm, 1790 and C. scrophulariae albosuturatus Roubal, 1936 were synonymized with C. scrophulariae. Neotypes were designated for several related to stabilize .

Genus Diversity

Cionus contains 61 recognized in the Palaearctic region, with 16 species described as new in the 2019 revision. The is part of the tribe Cionini in the weevil Curculionidae.