Bruchid
Guides
Acanthoscelides obtectus
Bean Weevil, Bean Bruchid, Dry Bean Weevil
Acanthoscelides obtectus is a small bruchid beetle and major pest of stored legume seeds, particularly common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Native to mountainous regions of northern South America, it has spread globally through grain shipments and now occurs on every continent except Antarctica. The species is notable for its ability to infest seeds both in the field and in storage, with larvae developing entirely within seeds while adults feed on pollen. Its economic impact stems from reduced seed quality, germination failure, and contamination of legume products.
Algarobius bottimeri
Kiawe Bean Weevil, Bottimer's Texas Bruchid
Algarobius bottimeri is a small seed-feeding beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Bruchinae. Commonly called the kiawe bean weevil or Bottimer's Texas bruchid, it is associated with legume seeds, particularly those of mesquite and related plants in the genus Prosopis. The species has been documented across Central America, North America, and Oceania, likely facilitated by human transport of host plant seeds. Like other bruchine beetles, its larvae develop inside seeds.
Algarobius prosopis
Prosopis Seed Beetle
Algarobius prosopis is a seed-feeding bruchid beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It has been introduced to South Africa as a biological control agent for invasive mesquite weeds (Prosopis species). Native parasitoids in the introduced range interfere with its efficacy as a biocontrol agent. The species has a broad native distribution spanning Africa, Europe and Northern Asia (excluding China), Central America, and North America.
Amblycerus
pea and bean weevils, seed beetles
Amblycerus is the second most diverse genus of seed beetles in the Americas, containing over 60 described species. These bruchid beetles are specialized seed predators, with larvae developing inside seeds of various host plants. The genus exhibits complex evolutionary patterns of host plant association, having radiated from an ancestral association with Fabaceae into at least 12 other plant families including Sterculiaceae, Boraginaceae, and Humiriaceae. Species-level identification requires examination of male genitalia and pygidial morphology.
Amblycerus vitis
Arizona Grape Bruchid
Amblycerus vitis is a seed beetle (subfamily Bruchinae) commonly known as the Arizona Grape Bruchid. The species is a specialist herbivore associated with wild grape species in the genus Vitis, particularly in arid regions of the southwestern United States. As a member of the tribe Amblycerini, it exhibits the typical bruchid life history of larval development within seeds.
Bruchus brachialis
Vetch Bruchid
Bruchus brachialis, the vetch bruchid, is a univoltine seed beetle specialized on vetch (Vicia spp.). Adults emerge from overwintering sites in spring, feed on vetch flowers and pollen, and oviposit on developing pods. Larvae complete development within seeds, with new adults emerging to briefly feed before entering summer aestivation. The species shows tight phenological synchronization with host plant flowering and seed development. It occurs across Europe, Northern Asia (excluding China), and North America, and is recognized as an agricultural pest of pulse crops.
Callosobruchus phaseoli
cowpea weevil, bean weevil
Callosobruchus phaseoli is a seed beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Bruchinae, commonly known as the cowpea weevil. Native to India, it has become a widespread invasive pest of legume crops across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Adults emerge from infested seeds and immediately mate, with females beginning egg-laying on the same day. The species causes significant damage to stored legume seeds and is known to exhibit scramble competition behavior during larval development.
Caryedon
pea and bean weevils, groundnut bruchids
Caryedon is a genus of seed beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Bruchinae, containing approximately 11 described species. The genus includes significant agricultural pests, notably C. serratus (groundnut bruchid) and C. gonagra (also called groundnut bruchid), which infest stored legume seeds. Species in this genus are primarily associated with Fabaceae hosts and have been documented across the Old World tropics and subtropics.
Caryedon serratus
Groundnut Bruchid, Groundnut Borer
Caryedon serratus is a bruchid beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, commonly known as the groundnut bruchid or groundnut borer. It is a major pest of stored groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea) and also develops on seeds of wild legumes such as Piliostigma thonningii. The species has a broad pantropical and subtropical distribution spanning Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Oceania. Its life cycle is strongly influenced by temperature and humidity, with development rates varying significantly across environmental conditions.
Caryobruchus
pea and bean weevils
Caryobruchus is a genus of seed beetles in the family Chryselidae, commonly known as 'pea and bean weevils.' The genus contains approximately six described species, including one extinct species, Caryobruchus dominicanus, known from Dominican Republic amber. Members of this genus are specialized seed predators, primarily associated with palms (Arecaceae). The most widely distributed species, Caryobruchus gleditsiae, has been introduced from the New World to the Old World and feeds on seeds from at least 11 genera of palms.
Caryobruchus gleditsiae
Palm Seed Weevil
Caryobruchus gleditsiae is a seed beetle in the family Chrysomelidae (formerly Bruchidae), notable as the largest bruchid species in the United States. Adults range from 4 to 11 mm in length, with body size determined by the size of the palm seed in which the larva developed. The species develops exclusively inside palm seeds and has been recorded from at least 11 genera in the Arecaceae family. It is widely distributed across the New World and has been introduced to the Old World.
Horismenus
Horismenus is a large genus of eulophid wasps (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) comprising over 400 described species, primarily distributed in the Americas. Species are predominantly parasitoids, with documented associations including bruchid beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) in bean seeds, cerambycid beetles, mantid oothecae, and other insects. Several species exhibit hyperparasitoid behavior. The genus has been the subject of recent taxonomic revision due to cryptic species diversity revealed through molecular analysis.
Kytorhinus
Kytorhinus is a genus of seed beetles in the subfamily Bruchinae, family Chrysomelidae. The genus includes species that are specialized seed predators of leguminous plants. Kytorhinus sharpianus, the most studied species, exhibits complex multivoltine life cycles with photoperiodically induced larval diapause and shows female-biased sex ratios in field populations. Adults are small beetles that oviposit on host plant pods, with larvae developing inside seeds.
Merobruchus insolitus
White Dart Bruchid
Merobruchus insolitus is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, first described by Sharp in 1885. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species is commonly known as the White Dart Bruchid. As a member of the genus Merobruchus, it belongs to a group of seed beetles typically associated with leguminous host plants.
Neltumius texanus
Snakewood Bruchid
Neltumius texanus is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, found in Central America and North America. It is commonly known as the Snakewood Bruchid. The genus Neltumius was previously placed in the family Bruchidae (seed beetles) before that family was subsumed into Chrysomelidae. The specific epithet "texanus" indicates a connection to Texas, though the precise nature of this association (type locality or broader distribution) is not detailed in available sources. The species is represented by relatively few observations, with only 6 records documented on iNaturalist.
Stator beali
Four-spotted Ebony Bruchid
Stator beali is a seed beetle in the family Chrysomelidae (subfamily Bruchinae), described by Johnson in 1963. It occurs in North America and Central America. The common name "Four-spotted Ebony Bruchid" suggests distinctive coloration. Laboratory studies have demonstrated reproductive compatibility with the congeneric species Stator limbatus.
Zabrotes subfasciatus
Mexican bean weevil
Zabrotes subfasciatus, commonly known as the Mexican bean weevil, is a small bruchine beetle that infests stored legume seeds, particularly common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Females deposit eggs on seed coats; larvae develop endophytically within the cotyledons, consuming the seed from the inside. A single seed can support up to 20 emerging adults. The species has demonstrated capacity to utilize alternative hosts including cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), lentil, chickpea, and soybean, with populations showing plasticity in host preference through artificial selection. Development from egg to adult takes approximately 34 days at 27°C and 70% relative humidity. Maximum female fecundity is around 55 eggs. The species is a significant post-harvest pest in tropical regions, with reported production losses up to 35%.