Tychius meliloti

Stephens, 1831

Sweet Clover Weevil

Tychius meliloti is a small in the tribe Tychiini, to Europe and to North America. In Canada, it has been recorded from scattered localities in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec. The is associated with sweet clover (Melilotus spp.) as plants. It represents one of four European Tychius species established in North America.

Tychius meliloti by (c) Barry Walter, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Barry Walter. Used under a CC-BY license.

Tychius meliloti by (c) Cosimo Costanzia di Costigliole, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cosimo Costanzia di Costigliole. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Tychius meliloti: //ˈtaɪkiəs mɛlɪˈloʊtaɪ//

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

Identification

Tychius meliloti can be distinguished from other North Tychius by association with Melilotus plants; other introduced species (T. picirostris, T. cuprifer, T. stephensi) are associated with Trifolium. A to the four introduced European Tychius species in North America is available in the Canadian source.

Images

Distribution

to Europe; to North America with first Canadian records from scattered localities in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec. Also reported from China.

Host Associations

Melilotus spp. - Explicitly stated as plants in Canadian source; epithet reflects this association

Similar Taxa

Tychius picirostris European in North America, but associated with Trifolium spp. rather than Melilotus
Tychius stephensi European in North America, but associated with Trifolium spp. rather than Melilotus
Tychius cuprifer European in North America, but associated with Trifolium spp. and Teline monspessulana rather than Melilotus; known only from Maryland, USA

More Details

Taxonomic Authority Note

There is a discrepancy in authorship: , 1831 is cited in NCBI and primary literature, while Norman & H.Joy, 1932 appears in some databases (GBIF, Catalogue of Life). Stephens, 1831 is the accepted original description.

Introduction History

First recorded in North America in Canada; represents a more recent compared to other established European Tychius (T. picirostris, T. stephensi) which are widespread in North America.