Ophryastes varius
LeConte, 1853
broad-nosed weevil
Ophryastes varius is a of broad-nosed weevil in the Curculionidae, first described by John Lawrence LeConte in 1853. It belongs to the tribe Ophryastini within the Entiminae. The species has been recorded from western North America, with distribution records from Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, and Baja California.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Ophryastes varius: /ɒfˈraɪ.əstiːz ˈvɛər.i.əs/
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Identification
As a member of the tribe Ophryastini, Ophryastes varius can be distinguished from other broad-nosed weevils by genitalic and external morphological characters typical of the Ophryastes. -level identification within Ophryastes requires examination of male genitalia and other subtle morphological features; the specific epithet 'varius' likely refers to variable coloration or pattern, though detailed diagnostic features for this species are not readily available in general sources.
Distribution
Western North America: recorded from Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada (USA), and Baja California (Mexico).
Similar Taxa
- Other Ophryastes speciesOphryastes is a of broad-nosed weevils with multiple in western North America; accurate identification to species level requires examination of genitalic structures and other fine morphological details.
- Other Ophryastini genera (e.g., Pandeleteius, Pachnaeus)Members of the tribe Ophryastini share the broad-nosed weevil and can be confused without careful examination of tribal and generic diagnostic characters.
More Details
Taxonomic history
Described by J.L. LeConte in 1853, this has remained in the Ophryastes without major nomenclatural changes. The genus is part of the diverse Entiminae , one of the largest subfamilies of weevils.
Research status
Despite being described over 170 years ago, detailed biological and ecological information for O. varius appears sparse in the literature. Most available information is taxonomic and distributional.