Bruchinae
Guides
Acanthoscelides
bean weevils
Acanthoscelides is a genus of bean weevils in the subfamily Bruchinae, native to the New World with highest diversity in Mexico. The genus contains approximately 300–340 described species with over 200 additional undescribed species. Historically functioning as a wastebasket taxon, species were transferred into this genus from other genera (primarily Bruchus) in 1946. Beetles in this genus are small seed predators that develop within legume seeds, with some species achieving worldwide pest status while others serve as biological control agents.
Acanthoscelides chiricahuae
Acanthoscelides chiricahuae is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It was described by Fall in 1910. The species is found in Central America and North America, with the specific epithet suggesting a connection to the Chiricahua region of southeastern Arizona. As a member of the subfamily Bruchinae (seed beetles), it likely develops in seeds of leguminous host plants, though specific host associations have not been documented in the available sources.
Acanthoscelides pallidipennis
Acanthoscelides pallidipennis is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, specifically within the seed beetle subfamily Bruchinae. Native to North America, it has been introduced to East Asia including Japan, where it was first recorded in 1997–1999. The species is a specialist seed predator of the introduced legume Amorpha fruticosa, achieving extremely high seed predation rates in its introduced range. It is subject to parasitism by Eupelmus wasps.
Acanthoscelides pectoralis
Acanthoscelides pectoralis is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, specifically placed in the subfamily Bruchinae (seed beetles). The species was described by Horn in 1873 and has a documented distribution spanning Central America and North America. Like other members of its genus, it is likely associated with leguminous host plants, though specific host records for this species remain limited in the available literature. The genus Acanthoscelides contains numerous species that are economically significant as pests of stored legumes and agricultural crops.
Acanthoscelides tridenticulatus
Acanthoscelides tridenticulatus is a leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, specifically within the seed beetle subfamily Bruchinae. It was described by Bottimer in 1969 and is known from North America. The genus Acanthoscelides comprises numerous seed beetles, many of which are associated with legume host plants.
Althaeus folkertsi
velvetleaf seed beetle
Althaeus folkertsi, the velvetleaf seed beetle, is a seed weevil in the subfamily Bruchinae (formerly treated as family Bruchidae). Adults are extremely small, measuring 1.5–2.5 mm in length. The species is associated with velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) and related mallows, developing within the seeds. It occurs in North America.
Amblycerini
Amblycerini is a tribe of seed beetles within the subfamily Bruchinae (Chrysomelidae), established by Bridwell in 1932. Members of this tribe are characterized by their association with seeds as developmental hosts. The genus Spermophagus, a well-studied member of this tribe, shows complex evolutionary patterns of host plant colonization. The tribe is taxonomically accepted and contains multiple genera of seed-feeding beetles.
Bruchidius villosus
broom seed beetle, Scotch broom bruchid
Bruchidius villosus is a small seed-feeding beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, native to Europe and introduced to North America and New Zealand as a biological control agent for Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius). It has been deliberately released in the United States since the 1990s to reduce seed production in this invasive weed. In New Zealand, it has exhibited problematic host range expansion to non-target leguminous plants. The species is approximately 2 mm in length with dark gray coloration.
Bruchinae
Pea and Bean Weevils, Seed Beetles, Bean Weevils
Bruchinae is a subfamily of small beetles within Chrysomelidae, historically treated as a separate family (Bruchidae). Adults are typically 1.5–10 mm in length. Larvae develop entirely within seeds of legumes and other plants, completing their life cycle without leaving the host seed. The subfamily includes approximately 1,350 species worldwide. Many species are significant agricultural pests of stored legumes, with some introduced outside their native ranges through international trade.
Bruchini
seed beetles, bean weevils
Bruchini is a tribe of small beetles within the subfamily Bruchinae, commonly known as seed beetles or bean weevils. Despite their common name, they are true beetles (Coleoptera), not weevils (Curculionidae). Members of this tribe are characterized by their compact, oval bodies and association with legume and other plant seeds. The tribe contains numerous genera, including Bruchus and Acanthoscelides, many of which are significant agricultural pests.
Bruchus
seed beetles, bean beetles, bean weevils
Bruchus is a genus of seed beetles in the leaf beetle family Chrysomelidae, comprising approximately 36 species. The genus is characterized by distinctive male genitalia morphology, including a large, sclerotized, boomerang-shaped ventral plate used in species identification. Members are specialized herbivores feeding almost exclusively on legumes in the tribe Fabeae (Vicieae), including peas, lentils, and vetches. Several species are significant agricultural pests, notably B. lentis on lentils, B. pisorum on peas, and B. rufimanus on fava beans. The genus is primarily Palearctic in distribution, with some species introduced to North America, Africa, and Australia.
Gibbobruchus
pea and bean weevils, seed beetles
Gibbobruchus is a genus of seed beetles in the subfamily Bruchinae (Chrysomelidae), first described by Pic in 1913. The genus contains approximately seven described species distributed in the Americas. Members are primarily associated with seeds of Bauhinia (Fabaceae) and related genera in the tribe Cercideae. The genus has been subject to recent taxonomic revision, with new species described from the Amazon basin and phylogenetic analyses supporting monophyly and distinct species groups.
Kytorhinini
Kytorhinini is a tribe of seed beetles within the subfamily Bruchinae (Chrysomelidae), established by Bridwell in 1932. The tribe is distinguished by particular combinations of morphological characters in the male genitalia and other structural features. Members of this tribe are associated with leguminous host plants. The tribe remains relatively poorly studied compared to other bruchine groups, with limited published information on species diversity and biology.
Megabruchidius dorsalis
honey locust seed beetle, Asian seed beetle
Megabruchidius dorsalis is an invasive seed beetle (Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) native to Asia that has established populations across Europe and North America. The species is oligophagous on Caesalpinioideae seeds, primarily developing within pods of Gleditsia species. Adults exhibit freeze-avoidant cold tolerance strategy with supercooling points around -10°C. The beetle has demonstrated host range expansion in its introduced range, colonizing North American Gymnocladus dioica in addition to its native Asian Gleditsia hosts.
Megacerus impiger
Megacerus impiger is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae. It occurs in Central America and North America. The genus Megacerus belongs to the subfamily Bruchinae, commonly known as seed beetles, though this species' specific biology remains poorly documented.
Megacerus maculiventris
Megacerus maculiventris is a leaf beetle species in the family Chrysomelidae. The genus Megacerus is placed within the subfamily Bruchinae, commonly known as seed beetles or bean weevils, though these are true beetles rather than weevils. The species has been recorded across a broad geographic range spanning the Americas. Available sources provide minimal specific information about this species beyond its taxonomic placement and distribution.
Merobruchus terani
Merobruchus terani is a species of seed beetle in the subfamily Bruchinae, described by Kingsolver in 1980. It belongs to a genus whose members are associated with legume seeds, though specific host records for this species remain limited. The species occurs in Central America and North America.
Mimosestes
pea and bean weevils
Mimosestes is a genus of seed beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Bruchinae, containing approximately 13 described species. These beetles are associated with legume seeds and have been documented as introduced species in some regions, including Hawaii. The genus has been subject to phylogenetic studies examining host plant utilization patterns. Some species serve as hosts for parasitoid wasps, including the braconid Urosigalphus mimosestes.
Mimosestes nubigens
Mimosestes nubigens is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Bruchinae (seed beetles). It has been recorded across an exceptionally broad geographic range spanning five continents, including North America, Central America, South America, Southern Asia, and Oceania. The genus Mimosestes is associated with leguminous host plants, particularly species of Mimosa. This wide distribution suggests either human-mediated dispersal or association with widely cultivated host plants.
Mimosestes ulkei
retama weevil
Mimosestes ulkei, commonly known as the retama weevil, is a seed beetle in the family Chrysomelidae (subfamily Bruchinae). The species was originally described by Horn in 1873 as Bruchus ulkei and later transferred to the genus Mimosestes. It is distributed across Central America and North America. Like other members of the Bruchinae, this species is associated with leguminous host plants.
Neltumius arizonensis
Black and White Black Variegated Bruchid
Neltumius arizonensis is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, specifically placed in the seed beetle subfamily Bruchinae. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Despite its specific epithet suggesting an Arizona connection, detailed ecological and biological information remains sparse in published literature.
Pachymerina
Pachymerina is a subtribe of seed beetles within the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Bruchinae. The group was established by Bridwell in 1929 and is classified within the tribe Pachymerini. Members of this subtribe are characterized by their association with legume seeds. The taxonomic placement reflects morphological and biological affinities among constituent genera.
Pachymerus
Pachymerus is a genus of seed beetles in the subfamily Bruchinae (formerly Bruchidae), family Chrysomelidae. Species in this genus are specialized seed predators of palms (Arecaceae), with documented associations including Syagrus coronata (licuri palm), Syagrus romanzoffiana (queen palm), and babassu palms (Orbinya spp.). The genus has been studied for its tritrophic interactions with parasitoid wasps, particularly Heterospilus species, and its role in palm seed predation in Neotropical ecosystems.
Penthobruchus
Penthobruchus is a genus of bruchine beetles (formerly placed in family Bruchidae, now subfamily Bruchinae within Chrysomelidae) established by Kingsolver in 1973. At least one species, Penthobruchus germaini, has been investigated as a biological control agent for the invasive tree Parkinsonia aculeata. The genus is poorly documented in public sources, with limited biological information available beyond host associations.
Sennius lebasi
pea weevil, bean weevil
Sennius lebasi is a seed beetle in the subfamily Bruchinae, placed in the S. abbreviatus species group. The lectotype was designated in a 2013 taxonomic revision. Members of this group are distinguished by patterns of sclerites and the shape of the male internal sac. The species occurs across the Neotropical region.
Sennius leucostauros
Sennius leucostauros is a seed beetle in the subfamily Bruchinae, described in 1973. It belongs to the S. abbreviatus species group, which is distinguished by patterns of sclerites and the shape of the male internal sac. The species occurs in Central and North America. As a member of Sennius, it likely develops in seeds, though specific host plants have not been documented.
Sennius medialis
Sennius medialis is a species of seed beetle in the subfamily Bruchinae, first described by Sharp in 1885. Members of this genus are associated with leguminous host plants, though specific host records for this species remain limited. The species is known from both Middle and North America based on collection records.
Sennius morosus
Sennius morosus is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in Central America and North America, with distribution records from Colombia, including the departments of Cundinamarca and Cauca. The species was described by Sharp in 1885. As a member of the genus Sennius, it belongs to a group of bruchine seed beetles associated with leguminous host plants.
Stator
seed beetles
Stator is a genus of seed beetles in the family Chrysomelidae, established by Bridwell in 1946. The genus contains approximately 14 described species. Most members are specialized feeders on legume seeds (Fabaceae), with larvae developing inside seeds. These beetles are of economic importance as pests of stored legumes.
Zabrotes arenarius
Zabrotes arenarius is a species of seed beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, subfamily Bruchinae. The species was described by Wolcott in 1912. Like other members of the genus Zabrotes, this species is associated with legume seeds, though specific host records for Z. arenarius remain limited. The genus is primarily distributed in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Zabrotes bexarensis
Zabrotes bexarensis is a species of seed beetle in the subfamily Bruchinae, described by Kingsolver in 1990. The genus Zabrotes contains species associated with legume seeds, though specific biological details for this species remain limited. It is recorded from North America with very few documented observations.