Larinus turbinatus

Gyllenhal, 1835

Turbine Cylindrical Weevil

Larinus turbinatus is a true weevil in the Curculionidae, native to the western Palaearctic. The name refers to its cone-shaped snout. It is oligophagous on thistles, particularly Carduus and Cirsium species. Females lay in flower buds, and larvae develop within the flower , typically resulting in one surviving larva per flower due to . The species has been introduced to the United States.

Larinus turbinatus (Curculionidae spec.), Elst (Gld), the Netherlands - 3 by Bj.schoenmakers. Used under a CC0 license.

Larinus turbinatus (Curculionidae spec.), Elst (Gld), the Netherlands by Bj.schoenmakers. Used under a CC0 license.

Larinus turbinatus (8904243897) by Pavel Kirillov from St.Petersburg, Russia. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Larinus turbinatus: /ˈlarɪnəs ˌtɜːrbɪˈneɪtəs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Larinus turbinatus can be confused with Larinus carlinae due to similar size. It is distinguished by its robust, short, straight rostrum that tapers conically to the apex, with a lateroventral ridge and longitudinal groove. The female's and rostrum are darker than the male's. The pronotum is strongly punctured with tapering lateral margins, and the are wider than the pronotum with a rounded apex.

Images

Habitat

Open, warm slopes, grassland, wet meadows, and pastures where thistles are present. The is warmth-loving and associated with thistle plants.

Distribution

Native to the western Palaearctic: southern and central Europe (Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Republic of Moldova, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, Yugoslavia), Caucasus, western Russia, Asia Minor, Central Asia, Siberia, and North Africa. Introduced to the United States.

Diet

Oligophagous on thistles (Asteraceae, tribe Cardueae), primarily Carduus and Cirsium including Marsh Thistle (Cirsium palustre), Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense), Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans), and Cabbage Thistle (Cirsium oleraceum). Occasionally observed on Silybum, Onopordum, and Centaurea species.

Host Associations

Cirsium palustre - Marsh Thistle
Cirsium arvense - Creeping Thistle
Carduus nutans - Musk Thistle
Cirsium oleraceum - Cabbage Thistle
Silybum - occasionally
Onopordum - occasionally
Centaurea - occasionally

Life Cycle

Females lay five to six per day, each in a separate flower bud. Multiple females may oviposit on the same flower . Larvae hatch and compete within the flower; stronger larvae kill weaker ones, typically leaving one larva per flower in the final instar. occurs within the thistle blossom.

Behavior

. feed on thistle vegetation. Females deposit in flower buds using the rostrum to prepare the site. Larvae exhibit and within flower .

Ecological Role

Herbivore specializing on thistles. Acts as a agent for thistle , though may also impact native thistles. Larval feeding destroys developing seeds, reducing thistle reproductive success.

Human Relevance

Used as a agent for thistles in agricultural and natural settings. Introduced in North America may impact native thistle .

Similar Taxa

Larinus carlinaeSimilar size; distinguished by rostrum shape and other morphological features
Larinus planusSimilar as a thistle-feeding weevil; distinguished by rostrum length and shape

More Details

Etymology

name Larinus derives from ancient Greek λαρίνος (fat), referring to the rounded body shape. name turbinatus is Latin for cone-shaped, referring to the shape of the snout.

Biological Control Context

Like other Larinus , L. turbinatus has been evaluated for of thistles. Its introduction to new regions requires careful consideration of potential non-target effects on native thistle species, as documented with related species such as Rhinocyllus conicus and Larinus planus.