Conotrachelus aratus
Boh. in Schoenh., 1845
hickory shoot curculio, ploughed pure weevil
Conotrachelus aratus, commonly known as the hickory shoot curculio, is a of weevil in the Curculionidae. It is native to eastern North America, occurring in the United States east of Texas and Kansas, as well as in Quebec, Canada. The species is specifically associated with Carya (hickory) species, distinguishing it from other Conotrachelus species that attack fruit crops. Unlike the economically significant (C. nenuphar), C. aratus has received limited research attention and is not considered a major agricultural pest.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Conotrachelus aratus: /ˌkɔnəˈtrækələs əˈreɪtəs/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Conotrachelus aratus can be distinguished from the closely related and economically important () by its association with hickory (Carya) rather than rosaceous fruit crops. The specific epithet 'aratus' (Latin for 'ploughed') refers to characteristic markings on the . Within the Conotrachelus, identification typically requires examination of genitalic structures and detailed morphological analysis.
Distribution
Eastern United States, occurring east of Texas and Kansas; also present in Quebec, Canada.
Diet
Associated with Carya (hickory). Specific feeding habits have not been documented in detail.
Host Associations
- Carya - associated with-level association; specific not documented
Human Relevance
Not considered a significant agricultural pest. Unlike , which is a major pest of stone and pome fruits, C. aratus has limited economic impact and has not been the focus of research.
Similar Taxa
- Conotrachelus nenupharSimilar and , but distinguished by association with rosaceous fruits (stone and pome fruits) rather than hickory; C. nenuphar is a major agricultural pest with extensive research history, while C. aratus is poorly studied
More Details
Taxonomic note
The 'ploughed pure weevil' appears to be an erroneous or obscure variant; 'hickory shoot curculio' is the preferred common name.