Ophryastes vittatus
(Say, 1824)
broad-nosed weevil
Ophryastes vittatus is a of broad-nosed weevil first described by Thomas Say in 1824. The species belongs to the Entiminae, a group characterized by their broad, short rostrums compared to other weevils. It occurs in western and central North America, with records from Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Nevada. The specific epithet "vittatus" refers to a striped or banded appearance, though detailed descriptions of this pattern are limited in available sources.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Ophryastes vittatus: /ɒf.riˈæs.tiːz vɪˈteɪ.təs/
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Distribution
Recorded from Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Nevada in the United States. The appears to be distributed across the western and central regions of North America, though precise range boundaries are not well documented.
More Details
Etymology
The specific epithet "vittatus" is Latin for "striped" or "banded," likely referring to some longitudinal marking on the body. This is a common epithet in Coleoptera and other insects.
Taxonomic Note
The Ophryastes belongs to the tribe Ophryastini within the Entiminae. Entiminae weevils are commonly known as "broad-nosed weevils" due to their characteristically short, broad rostrum compared to the elongated snout typical of many other Curculionidae.