Cholini

Cholini weevils can be distinguished from other Molytinae tribes by their association with palms and morphological features typical of the subtribe, though specific diagnostic characters require examination of rostral and antennal structure. Within the tribe, genera are distinguished by body form, rostral proportions, and elytral sculpture: Homalinotus species are notably depressed and broad; Cholus species often show distinctive color patterns; Rhinastus and Odontoderes exhibit characteristic pronotal and rostral armature.

Tropical and subtropical forest habitats, particularly areas with palm tree presence. Collected in diverse Amazonian localities including riverine environments (lago Janauacá, rio Tocantins, rio Araguaia, rio Uraricoera) and forested areas across Amazonas, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima, and Paraná states. Strongly associated with native and cultivated palm communities.

Neotropical distribution with concentration in South America. Brazilian Amazonia records from Amazonas (Manaus, Novo Airão, Coari, Carauari, Lábrea), Pará (rio Tocantins), Rondônia (Porto Velho, Ariquemes, BR 364 Km 130), Roraima (rio Uraricoera), and Paraná (Piraquara). Specific species with expanded distributions include Cholus granifer, C. pantherinus, C. parallelogrammus, Homalinotus depressus, H. humeralis, H. nodipennis, H. validus, Odontoderes carinatus, O. spinicollis, and Ozopherus muricatus.

• Attalea phalerata - hosturucuri palm; first report for Homalinotus humeralis
• Attalea spp. - hosttribal-level association
• Oenocarpus spp. - hosttribal-level association
• Cocos spp. - hosttribal-level association
• Elaeis spp. - hosttribal-level association; oil palm
• Syagrus spp. - hosttribal-level association
• Acrocomia spp. - hosttribal-level association
• Diplothemium spp. - hosttribal-level association

Some species have been observed as pests of palm trees, though specific behavioral details are not well documented. Adults are associated with palm stems, fruits, and crowns.

Herbivores specialized on palms; may influence palm population dynamics and serve as food source for predators. Potential role in palm reproductive biology through feeding on fruits and vegetative structures.

Some species are recognized as pests of cultivated palms including oil palm (Elaeis), potentially impacting agricultural production. The tribe includes species of economic concern for palm cultivation in tropical regions.

• Other Molytinae tribesCholini is distinguished within Molytinae by its specialized palm association and characteristic rostral structure; other tribes typically lack this strong host specificity to Arecaceae
• RhynchophoriniAnother palm-associated weevil tribe, but distinguished by different body form, rostral proportions, and larval development sites; Rhynchophorini includes the notorious palm weevils Rhynchophorus

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Cholini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytinae) housed in the Invertebrate Collection of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Brazil