Legume-associate
Guides
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.
Eutrichapion huron
Eutrichapion huron is a small weevil species in the family Brentidae, formerly classified in Apionidae. It belongs to a genus of seed-feeding weevils associated with leguminous plants. The species was described by Fall in 1898 and is known from Canadian prairie provinces and Ontario.
Genistogethes carinulatus
Genistogethes carinulatus is a small beetle in the family Nitidulidae, the sap beetles. The genus Genistogethes is associated with leguminous plants, particularly brooms (Genista and related genera). This species was described by Forster in 1849 and has been recorded from Europe and western North America. The specific epithet 'carinulatus' refers to small keel-like structures, likely describing surface sculpturing on the body.
Gnaphalodes trachyderoides
A longhorn beetle and the sole species in its genus, characterized by a robust, somewhat flattened body and antennae that are notably shorter than those of many cerambycids. The species name 'trachyderoides' references its resemblance to the genus Trachyderes. It occurs from the southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America.
Hippomelas planicauda
Hippomelas planicauda is a large buprestid beetle (family Buprestidae) found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. The species is associated with leguminous host plants, particularly Mimosa dysocarpa (velvetpod mimosa), on which adults are frequently collected by beating flowering branches. It occurs in desert scrub and canyon habitats of southeastern Arizona and adjacent regions, where it is often found in company with other large buprestids such as Hippomelas sphenicus and Gyascutus caelatus.
Lignyodes ligustricolus
Lignyodes ligustricolus is a species of leguminous seed weevil in the family Curculionidae, first described by Clark in 1980. The species is currently classified under the genus Lignyodes, though some taxonomic databases list it as a synonym of Neotylopterus ligustricolus. As a member of the tribe Lignyodini, it belongs to a group of weevils specialized on leguminous plants.
Rivellia coquilletti
Rivellia coquilletti is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, first described by Hendel in 1914. Signal flies in this genus are associated with leguminous plants, with larvae feeding on nitrogen-fixing root nodules. The species is closely related to R. quadrifasciata and R. colei, with which it shares sympatric distributions in parts of North America. Adult signal flies are recognized by their characteristic wing-waving behavior used for intraspecific communication.
Rivellia quadrifasciata
soybean nodule fly
Rivellia quadrifasciata, commonly known as the soybean nodule fly, is a signal fly in the family Platystomatidae. The species is native to eastern North America, where it originally fed on tick trefoil (Desmodium spp.) before adapting to cultivated legumes. Larvae feed on nitrogen-fixing root nodules of host plants, including soybean, cowpea, and common bean. Despite this feeding habit, the species causes only minor economic damage due to the compensatory growth abilities of soybean. Adults are characterized by their distinctive wing-waving behavior, which gives the family its common name.
Rivellia winifredae
Rivellia winifredae is a species of signal fly in the family Platystomatidae, described by Namba in 1956. It has been documented in association with Apios americana (groundnut), a leguminous plant native to eastern North America. As with other members of the genus Rivellia, the species likely has larvae that develop in root nodules of its host plant.
Trichapion disparatum
Trichapion disparatum is a species of straight-snouted weevil in the family Brentidae, subfamily Apioninae. Members of this genus are small, slender weevils characterized by elongated rostrums and are commonly associated with leguminous host plants. The species is part of a taxonomically complex group of apionine weevils that have undergone significant revision in recent decades.
Trichapion sayi
Trichapion sayi is a species of seed weevil in the family Apionidae. Members of the genus Trichapion are characterized by their distinctive elongated snouts and association with leguminous host plants. The species epithet honors Thomas Say, a pioneering American entomologist. Like other apionid weevils, this species likely develops in seeds or other plant tissues, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in accessible literature.