Otiorhynchus
Germar, 1822
root weevils, vine weevils
Species Guides
14- Otiorhynchus carinatopunctatus
- Otiorhynchus crataegi(privet weevil)
- Otiorhynchus cribricollis(Cribrate Weevil)
- Otiorhynchus ligneus
- Otiorhynchus ligustici(Alfalfa Snout Beetle)
- Otiorhynchus meridionalis(Lilac Root Weevil)
- Otiorhynchus ovatus(Strawberry Root Weevil)
- Otiorhynchus porcatus
- Otiorhynchus raucus
Otiorhynchus is a large of flightless weevils containing over 1,500 distributed across more than 110 subgenera. The genus is native to the Palearctic region, though sixteen species have become established in North America as introduced pests. Several species, notably the black vine weevil (O. sulcatus) and strawberry root weevil (O. ovatus), are economically significant agricultural pests. The genus exhibits unusual reproductive diversity, with many species containing both bisexual and polyploid parthenogenetic .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Otiorhynchus: //ˌəʊtiəˈrɪŋkəs//
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Identification
are distinguished from other weevil by their flightlessness resulting from . -level identification requires examination of rostral and elytral sculpturing patterns, which vary considerably across the 1,500+ species. Some species are eyeless troglobites found in cave systems.
Images
Habitat
Native to Palearctic regions; occupies diverse terrestrial including forests, grasslands, agricultural systems, and subterranean cave environments. Some are troglobites adapted to permanent darkness.
Distribution
Native to the Palearctic region. Sixteen introduced to North America and now widespread there. Individual species distributions vary: O. cribricollis occurs across southern Europe, North Africa, Turkey, and has been recorded in Australia and the USA.
Diet
Larvae feed on plant roots. feed nocturnally on plant foliage.
Host Associations
- Almonds - O. cribricollis
- Apples - O. cribricollis
- Citrus - O. cribricollis
- Lucerne - O. cribricollis
- Olives - O. cribricollis
- Plums - O. cribricollis
- Grapevines - O. cribricollis; O. sulcatus (black vine weevil)
- Strawberries - O. ovatus (strawberry root weevil)
- Spindle tree (Euonymus fortunei) - O. sulcatus
- Yew (Taxus baccata) - O. sulcatus
Life Cycle
Development includes , larval, pupal, and stages. Larvae are root-feeding and soil-dwelling. Adults are long-lived and emerge to feed on foliage.
Behavior
are strictly , feeding on foliage at night and congregating in dark shelters during daylight hours. O. sulcatus has been observed to respond behaviorally to from and from related . Adults are flightless and disperse by .
Ecological Role
Herbivores that function as root-feeding larvae and foliar-feeding . Some are significant agricultural pests. Parthenogenetic lineages serve as model systems for studying the evolution of .
Human Relevance
Several are major agricultural pests. The black vine weevil (O. sulcatus) and strawberry root weevil (O. ovatus) damage crops through both larval root-feeding and foliar damage. Introduced in North America have become widespread and problematic for horticulture.
Similar Taxa
- Other Curculionidae generaOtiorhynchus are distinguished by causing flightlessness; most other weevil retain functional wings.
- BrachyrhinusO. cribricollis has been placed in this by some authors; currently treated as synonym of Otiorhynchus.
More Details
Reproductive biology
The exhibits exceptional diversity in reproductive mode. Many contain races that are polyploid and parthenogenetic alongside bisexual races. O. scaber has been extensively studied as a model for the evolution of .
Cave adaptation
A number of are troglobites, exhibiting eyelessness and other adaptations to permanent subterranean life.
Taxonomic scope
With over 1,500 divided into at least 110 subgenera, Otiorhynchus is among the largest of weevils.