Oxyops

Schönherr, 1826

Species Guides

1

Oxyops is a of weevils in the Curculionidae, Entiminae, tribe Gonipterini. The genus includes native to Australia, with Oxyops vitiosa (the melaleuca leaf weevil or melaleuca snout beetle) being the most extensively studied member due to its use as a agent against the paperbark tree Melaleuca quinquenervia in Florida.

Oxyops vitiosus by (c) jimeckert49, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Oxyops vitiosus by (c) jimeckert49, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Oxyops vitiosus by (c) jimeckert49, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Oxyops: /ˈɒksiɒps/

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Distribution

Native to Australia; introduced to Florida, USA for purposes.

Human Relevance

within this , particularly Oxyops vitiosa, have been deliberately introduced outside their native range as agents. The melaleuca leaf weevil was released in Florida beginning in 1997 to suppress of the tree Melaleuca quinquenervia, where it has been observed to reduce flowering by up to 90% at some sites.

Misconceptions

The name 'Oxyops' has been confused with 'Pheidole oxyops', an unrelated (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) native to South America. These belong to different orders (Coleoptera vs. Hymenoptera) and share no close relationship; the similarity in epithet is coincidental.

Sources and further reading