Dryophthoridae
Guides
Billaea
Billaea is a genus of tachinid flies comprising approximately 80 described species. Most larvae are parasitoids of beetle larvae, particularly cerambycids and lucanids, with some species attacking lepidopteran hosts in the family Pyralidae. Several species have been investigated as biological control agents for agricultural and forestry pests, including palm weevils and sugarcane borers.
Tachinidaeparasitoidbiological-controlCerambycidaeDryophthoridaeCrambidaeviviparousplanidiaforest-pestagricultural-pestoil-palmsugarcanepalm-weevilwood-borersoutheast-AsiaSouth-AmericaEuropeBulgariaBrazilTurkeyMexicoPeruintegrated-pest-managementnatural-enemyhost-searchingkairomonessuperparasitismmass-rearingGalleria-mellonellalaboratory-hostfrassgallerytunnelpupal-parasitoidlarval-parasitoidectoparasitoidendoparasitoidColeopteraLepidopteraDipteraBrachyceraDexiinaeDexiiniRobineau-Desvoidy-183080-speciesglobal-distributionforestryagricultureornamental-palmsdate-palmcoconutRhynchophorusDiatraeaPrionusXylotrechusclimate-matchingestablishment-potentialMediterraneanMiddle-EastCaliforniainvasive-speciesred-palm-weevilAmerican-palm-weevilred-ring-diseasevector-controlnatural-mortalitypest-managementsustainable-agriculturehost-specificitytrophic-associationnew-host-recordparasitism-ratefield-parasitismlaboratory-rearingadult-longevityfecunditysex-ratiopupal-viabilitypupal-durationplanidia-lengthfood-resourcespollenhoneysucroseflowering-plantsspontaneous-floracompanion-plantshabitat-managementconservation-biological-controlaugmentative-biological-controlclassical-biological-controlquarantinehost-rangecircumstantial-evidencetaxonomic-confusionB.-rhynchophoraeB.-menezesiB.-adelphaB.-claripalpisB.-rutilansB.-cerambycivoraB.-steiniB.-fortisB.-irrorataB.-pectinataB.-setosaB.-trianguliferaB.-lataB.-intermediaB.-biserialisB.-giganteaB.-rubensB.-maritimaB.-marmorataB.-aurifronsB.-verticalisB.-flavaB.-chinensisB.-brevicaudaB.-kurahashiiB.-micronychiaB.-papeiB.-setigeraB.-yintiaolingB.-rufescensB.-triquetrusB.-rubidaB.-rufiventrisB.-brasiliensisB.-friburgensisB.-giacomeliB.-kosteraeB.-plaumanniB.-shannoniB.-africanaB.-argentaureaB.-atkinsoniB.-capensisB.-communisB.-decisaB.-edwardsiB.-erectaB.-ficorumB.-grandisB.-impigraB.-interruptaB.-kolomyetziB.-luteolaB.-malayanaB.-minorB.-monohammiB.-montanaB.-morosaB.-nipigonensisB.-orbitalisB.-ovataB.-quadrinotaB.-rhingiaeformisB.-robustaB.-satisfactaB.-sibleyiB.-sjostedtiB.-solivagaB.-trivittataB.-trochanterataB.-vanemdeniB.-velutinaB.-versicolorB.-villeneuveiB.-vitripennisB.-ziminiB.-lateralisB.-lativentrisCactophagus
cactus weevil, prickly pear cactus weevil
Cactophagus is a genus of snout and bark beetles in the family Dryophthoridae, comprising more than 50 described species distributed from southern North America through Central America to northern South America. Species in this genus are strongly associated with cacti, particularly Opuntia species, and several are significant agricultural pests. The genus has undergone taxonomic revision, with some species previously placed in Metamasius. The most economically important species, C. spinolae, is a major pest of prickly pear cactus in Mexico and has been introduced to other regions for biological control of invasive Opuntia.
Dryophthorus americanus
American Billbug Weevil
Dryophthorus americanus is a small true weevil in the family Dryophthoridae, distributed across North America including Canada and the United States. The species is commonly known as the American Billbug Weevil. It belongs to a genus of weevils associated with woody habitats.
Sphenophorus arizonensis
Sphenophorus arizonensis is a billbug weevil species in the family Dryophthoridae, described by Horn in 1873. It is native to North America and belongs to a genus containing multiple economically significant turfgrass and crop pests. Like other Sphenophorus species, it likely develops within grass stems and roots, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Sphenophorus australis
Tule Billbug
Sphenophorus australis, commonly known as the Tule Billbug, is a weevil species in the family Dryophthoridae. It is found in North America, with distribution records including the northeastern United States. The species was described by Chittenden in 1905. Two subspecies are recognized: Sphenophorus australis australis and Sphenophorus australis abrasus.
Sphenophorus bartramiae
Sphenophorus bartramiae is a species of weevil in the family Dryophthoridae. It was described by Chittenden in 1924. The species is known to occur in North America. Like other members of the genus Sphenophorus, it is a billbug weevil, though specific biological details remain poorly documented compared to economically significant congeners such as the bluegrass billbug or southern corn billbug.
Sphenophorus blanchardi
Sphenophorus blanchardi is a species of weevil in the family Dryophthoridae, described by Chittenden in 1905. It is native to North America and belongs to a genus containing multiple species that are significant agricultural pests, though specific information about this particular species is limited.
Sphenophorus coesifrons
oblite billbug
Sphenophorus coesifrons, commonly known as the oblite billbug, is a small weevil species in the family Dryophthoridae. It is distributed across North America from Maryland and Wisconsin south to the Gulf Coast and Arizona. The species has been documented as a pest of corn along the Gulf Coast, where it was considered extremely destructive to first and second plantings. It has also been reared on timothy in Illinois and Michigan. The species closely resembles the bluegrass billbug (Sphenophorus parvulus) but can be distinguished by morphological differences in the beak.
Sphenophorus costicollis
Sphenophorus costicollis is a species of weevil in the family Dryophthoridae, first described by Chittenden in 1919. It belongs to the genus Sphenophorus, commonly known as billbugs, which contains multiple species that are significant agricultural pests. The species is distributed in North America and includes two recognized subspecies: S. costicollis callosipennis and the nominate S. costicollis costicollis.
Sphenophorus costipennis
Sedge Billbug Weevil
Sphenophorus costipennis is a species of weevil in the family Dryophthoridae, commonly known as the Sedge Billbug Weevil. It is distributed across North America, with records from Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. As a member of the genus Sphenophorus, it belongs to a group of weevils commonly referred to as billbugs, which are associated with various grass and sedge host plants. The species was described by Horn in 1873.
Sphenophorus crenatus
Sphenophorus crenatus is a weevil species described by Gyllenhal in 1838. It is currently treated as an ambiguous synonym of Cactophagus crenatus in modern taxonomic databases. The species belongs to the family Dryophthoridae, a group formerly classified within Curculionidae. Like other members of the genus Sphenophorus (billbugs), it is presumed to have a weevil body plan with an elongated snout, though specific morphological details for this particular species are not well documented in available sources.
Sphenophorus deficiens
Sphenophorus deficiens is a species of billbug weevil described by Chittenden in 1920. Like other members of the genus Sphenophorus, it belongs to the family Dryophthoridae (formerly placed in Curculionidae). The genus Sphenophorus comprises multiple weevil species associated with grasses and sedges, with several species being economically significant agricultural pests. Information specific to S. deficiens is sparse in the available literature.
Sphenophorus gagatinus
Sphenophorus gagatinus is a species of weevil in the family Dryophthoridae, first described by Gyllenhal in 1838. It is one of numerous billbug species within the genus Sphenophorus, a group of economically significant turfgrass and crop pests. The species occurs in North America, though specific details regarding its biology, host associations, and pest status remain poorly documented compared to better-known congeners such as S. parvulus and S. callosus.
Sphenophorus gentilis
Sphenophorus gentilis is a species of weevil in the family Dryophthoridae. It is native to North America. As a member of the genus Sphenophorus, it is commonly known as a billbug. Specific ecological and biological details for this species remain poorly documented in available literature.
Sphenophorus germari
Sphenophorus germari is a weevil species in the family Dryophthoridae (formerly Curculionidae), first described by Horn in 1873. It is found in North America and belongs to a genus containing multiple agricultural pest species known as billbugs. Like other Sphenophorus species, it likely exhibits the typical billbug life cycle with larvae developing within plant stems and roots, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Sphenophorus hoegbergii
Sphenophorus hoegbergii is a species of billbug weevil in the family Dryophthoridae, originally described by Boheman in 1845. It is recorded from North America, though specific details regarding its biology, host associations, and economic significance remain poorly documented in the available literature. The species belongs to a genus containing numerous agricultural pests, but direct evidence linking this particular species to crop damage is absent.
Sphenophorus holosericus
Sphenophorus holosericus is a species of weevil in the family Dryophthoridae, described by Chittenden in 1924. It belongs to the genus Sphenophorus, a group commonly known as billbugs, which are recognized as significant pests of turfgrass and agricultural crops. The species is recorded from North America. As with other members of this genus, adults are characterized by elongated snouts and larvae develop within plant stems and roots.
Sphenophorus imus
Sphenophorus imus is a species of weevil in the family Dryophthoridae, first described by Gyllenhal in 1838. It belongs to a genus containing numerous species commonly known as billbugs, many of which are significant agricultural pests. The species is recorded from North America, though specific details regarding its biology, host associations, and economic importance remain poorly documented compared to congeners such as S. parvulus, S. callosus, and S. levis.
Sphenophorus incongruus
Sphenophorus incongruus is a weevil species in the family Dryophthoridae, first described by Chittenden in 1905. The species belongs to the genus Sphenophorus, commonly known as billbugs, which contains numerous turfgrass and crop pests. Records indicate presence in North America, specifically in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Québec. Like other Sphenophorus species, it likely possesses the elongated snout typical of weevils and shares the general billbug body plan, though specific distinguishing features from congeners remain poorly documented in available literature.
Sphenophorus latinasus
Sphenophorus latinasus is a weevil species in the family Dryophthoridae, occurring in North America. The genus Sphenophorus comprises billbugs, a group of weevils whose larvae develop within plant stems and roots. Little specific information has been published regarding the biology or economic importance of this particular species compared to better-studied congeners such as S. levis (sugarcane weevil) and S. callosus (southern corn billbug).
Sphenophorus marinus
Sphenophorus marinus is a species of weevil in the family Dryophthoridae. It was described by Chittenden in 1905 and is known to occur in North America. The species belongs to the genus Sphenophorus, which includes multiple billbug species that are significant pests of turfgrass and agricultural crops. Specific biological details for S. marinus remain poorly documented in available literature.
Sphenophorus mormon
Mormon Billbug Weevil
Sphenophorus mormon is a weevil species in the family Dryophthoridae, distributed across North America including the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba. The species was described by Chittenden in 1904. Commonly known as the Mormon Billbug Weevil, it belongs to a genus of billbug weevils associated with grasses and sedges. Available information on this species is limited, with only two documented observations on iNaturalist.
Sphenophorus necydaloides
Sphenophorus necydaloides is a species of weevil in the family Dryophthoridae, distributed in North America. Like other members of the genus Sphenophorus, it is a billbug weevil. The species was described by Fabricius in 1802. Beyond its taxonomic placement and geographic distribution, specific details about its biology, ecology, and economic importance remain poorly documented in available sources.
Sphenophorus phoeniciensis
Phoenix Billbug
Sphenophorus phoeniciensis, commonly known as the Phoenix billbug, is a weevil species in the family Dryophthoridae. It is one of at least ten billbug species that damage turfgrass in the United States. The species is distinguished from similar billbugs primarily by its size, measuring 6–8 mm in length. It is found in North America, particularly in western regions of the United States.
Sphenophorus robustus
Corn Billbug
Sphenophorus robustus is a species of billbug weevil in the family Dryophthoridae. It is distributed across North America, with records from Canada (British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario) and the United States. The species belongs to a genus containing several economically significant agricultural pests, though specific information about this species' biology remains limited. Two subspecies are recognized: S. r. robustus and S. r. rectistriatus.
Sphenophorus sayi
Sphenophorus sayi is a weevil species in the family Dryophthoridae (formerly treated as Curculionidae), described by Gyllenhal in 1838. The genus Sphenophorus contains billbugs, several of which are significant agricultural pests. Related species such as Sphenophorus callosus (southern corn billbug) and Sphenophorus levis (sugarcane weevil) are well-documented crop pests, but specific information on S. sayi remains sparse. The species is recorded from North America including British Columbia, Canada.
Sphenophorus scoparius
Sphenophorus scoparius is a weevil species in the family Dryophthoridae, found in North America. Like other members of the genus Sphenophorus, it is commonly referred to as a billbug. Species in this genus are associated with turfgrass and agricultural habitats, though specific ecological details for S. scoparius remain poorly documented in published literature.
Sphenophorus simplex
Simple Billbug Weevil
Sphenophorus simplex is a species of weevil in the family Dryophthoridae. It is found in North America. The species is commonly known as the Simple Billbug Weevil. As a member of the genus Sphenophorus, it belongs to a group of weevils commonly referred to as billbugs, which are associated with grasses and sedges.
Sphenophorus tardus
tardy billbug
Sphenophorus tardus is a species of weevil (billbug) in the family Dryophthoridae, first described by Fall in 1901. It is found in North America. Like other members of the genus Sphenophorus, it is likely associated with turfgrass or agricultural habitats, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented. The species name 'tardus' (Latin for 'slow' or 'late') may refer to aspects of its phenology or behavior.
Sphenophorus venatus
hunting billbug
Sphenophorus venatus, commonly known as the hunting billbug, is a weevil species in the family Dryophthoridae. It is native to North and Central America, with established populations in parts of Europe including Spain and Corsica. The species is a documented pest of turfgrasses and forage crops, with different subspecies showing host preferences: S. v. vestitus affects zoysiagrass, while S. v. confluens has been recorded as a pest of orchardgrass. Adults and larvae feed on grasses, with larvae causing damage by boring into stems and roots. The species uses volatile organic compounds from host plants and conspecifics for dispersal and host-finding, with males attracted to Cynodon dactylon and females attracted to male conspecifics.
billbugweevilturfgrass-pestDryophthoridaeSphenophorushunting-billbuggrass-pestpheromonevolatile-organic-compoundscuticular-hydrocarbonsintegrated-pest-managementsubspecies-vestitussubspecies-confluenszoysiagrassorchardgrassbermudagrassNorth-Americaintroduced-speciesEuropemolecular-identificationCOIITS2Sphenophorus venatus venatus
hunting billbug
Sphenophorus venatus venatus is a subspecies of hunting billbug, a weevil in the family Dryophthoridae. It is widely distributed across North America and has been documented in Middle America, Spain, and Corsica. This subspecies is associated with grass habitats, particularly Cynodon dactylon (bermudagrass), and exhibits chemically-mediated host and mate recognition behaviors. Males are attracted to host-plant volatiles and conspecific cues, while females respond to male conspecifics. The species uses both volatile and contact chemical cues for orientation and recognition.
Sphenophorus vomerinus
Narrow-nosed Billbug Weevil
Sphenophorus vomerinus is a species of weevil in the family Dryophthoridae, distributed across North America. It belongs to the genus Sphenophorus, commonly known as billbugs, which are recognized as significant pests of turfgrass and agricultural crops. The species was described by LeConte in 1858.
Sphenophorus zeae
Timothy billbug
Sphenophorus zeae, commonly known as the Timothy billbug, is a true weevil species in the family Dryophthoridae. It is native to North America, with documented occurrences in Canada (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario) and the United States. As a member of the genus Sphenophorus, it shares the characteristic billbug morphology and life history involving larval development within plant stems and roots. The species is associated with grasses, including timothy (Phleum pratense), which provides its common name.