Rhinusa neta

(Germar, 1821)

Rhinusa neta is a seedfeeding in the , to Europe and to North America as a agent for toadflax . are active from May to August. develop inside seed capsules of plants, feeding on seeds. The complete development cycle from to adult averages approximately 60 days under standard laboratory conditions.

Rhinusa neta by (c) carnifex, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by carnifex. Used under a CC-BY license.Rhinusa neta (10.3897-zookeys.807.28365) Figure 4 by Ścibior R, Łętowski J (2018) The morphology of the preimaginal stages of Rhinusa neta (Germar, 1821) and notes on its biology (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Mecinini). ZooKeys 807: 29–46. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.807.28365. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.Rhinusa neta (10.3897-zookeys.807.28365) Figure 6 by Ścibior R, Łętowski J (2018) The morphology of the preimaginal stages of Rhinusa neta (Germar, 1821) and notes on its biology (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Mecinini). ZooKeys 807: 29–46. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.807.28365. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Rhinusa neta: /rɪˈnuːsə ˈneːta/

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Identification

Diagnostic features of the preimaginal stages distinguish R. neta from the R. bipustulata. feed inside seed capsules without causing seed swelling, unlike R. antirrhini which induces swelling. are small typical of the Rhinusa. Precise adult morphological diagnostic features are not detailed in available sources.

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Habitat

Dry, warm places including fields, land, roadsides, gravel pits, moors, rock , sunny thickets, pastures, sunlit slopes, sandbars, uncultivated strips between fields, vegetation, meadows, and lawns.

Distribution

to southern and central Europe, Belgium, Caucasus, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Algeria, and Morocco. to the United States in 1937 and Canada in 1957. In Poland, found in lowlands, highlands (central and eastern), Eastern Sudetes, and Eastern Beskids. Established in northern California, USA, where it has spread since introduction.

Seasonality

active from May to August.

Diet

feed on seeds inside seed capsules of plants. Primary hosts include Linaria vulgaris, L. genistifolia, L. repens, L. spuria, Antirrhinum orontium, and A. majus. In North America, also L. dalmatica in field conditions. Laboratory feeding observed on Chaenorrhinum and Kickxia, but field confirmation lacking.

Host Associations

  • Linaria vulgaris - primary - larval feeding on seedsField confirmed in and ranges
  • Linaria dalmatica - primary - larval feeding on seedsField confirmed in North America range
  • Linaria genistifolia - - larval feeding on seeds European range
  • Linaria repens - - larval feeding on seeds European range
  • Linaria spuria - - larval feeding on seeds European range
  • Antirrhinum orontium - - larval feeding on seeds European range
  • Antirrhinum majus - - larval feeding on seeds European range
  • Chaenorrhinum - laboratory Laboratory conditions only; no field confirmation
  • Kickxia - laboratory Laboratory conditions only; no field confirmation

Life Cycle

Complete development cycle averages approximately 60 days under standard conditions (25°C day/20°C night, 4050% humidity): period ~11 days, larval period ~29 days, pupal period ~18 days. develop inside seed capsules, feeding on seeds. occurs within the seed capsule.

Behavior

feed internally within seed capsules without causing visible swelling of seeds, distinguishing their feeding damage from that of R. antirrhini. When both R. neta and R. antirrhini infest Linaria simultaneously, seed losses may reach 90%.

Ecological Role

Seed reducing seed production of plants. agent for toadflax (Linaria vulgaris and L. dalmatica) in North America. serve as hosts for hymenopterans in the superfamily .

Human Relevance

Intentionally to the United States (1937) and Canada (1957) for of toadflax . Less common and more dispersed than R. antirrhini in North America.

Similar Taxa

  • Rhinusa antirrhiniAlso a seed of Linaria ; distinguished by larval feeding that causes seed swelling, whereas R. neta feeding does not cause swelling
  • Rhinusa bipustulata with similar ; distinguished by diagnostic features of preimaginal stages

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Sources and further reading