Dichoxenus setiger

Horn, 1876

Dichoxenus setiger is a broad-nosed weevil in the Curculionidae, Entiminae, tribe Byrsopagini. The was described by Horn in 1876. A 2024 taxonomic revision of the Dichoxenus clarified that D. setiger does not include the former D. setiger arkansasensis, which was synonymized with D. granulatus. The genus comprises 25 species distributed in North America, primarily Mexico and the southern United States.

Dichoxenus setiger by (c) Rosario, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Rosario. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Dichoxenus setiger: //daɪ.kɒkˈsɛn.əs ˈsɛt.ɪ.dʒər//

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Habitat

in the Dichoxenus are most frequently collected on vegetation, especially at night. Some species occur in leaf litter, and three species are known or suspected to be cave-dwelling. Specific preferences for D. setiger have not been documented separately from the genus-level pattern.

Distribution

North America. GBIF records indicate occurrence in Arkansas, Texas (Anderson, Bandera, Bastrop counties), and alfalfa-associated . The Dichoxenus is centered in Mexico and the southern United States.

Behavior

Most Dichoxenus are nocturnally active on vegetation. Whether D. setiger exhibits this pattern specifically is unknown.

Similar Taxa

Dichoxenus granulatusFormerly included D. setiger arkansasensis as a synonym; the two may be confused due to historical taxonomic uncertainty. D. granulatus has priority as the senior synonym.
Dichoxenus griseusCongeneric broad-nosed weevil with similar and overlapping distribution in North America.

Misconceptions

The Dichoxenus setiger arkansasensis Sleeper, 1956 was historically treated under D. setiger but is now recognized as a junior synonym of D. granulatus, not D. setiger. Current records under this name may reflect this historical confusion.

More Details

Taxonomic revision

A 2024 revision of Dichoxenus (Zootaxa 5756) redefined boundaries and synonymized D. setiger arkansasensis with D. granulatus, leaving D. setiger sensu stricto with an unclear modern circumscription. The revision did not provide species-level ecological data for D. setiger specifically.