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Curculionidae
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This article is outdated. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. Last update: December 3, 2013 (December 2013) |
Curculionidae is the family of the "true" weevils (or "snout beetles"). It is the third largest animal family, with over 40 000 species described worldwide. It is surpassed only by the Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera), with over 60 000 species, and the Staphylinidae (Coleoptera), with 58 000 species.
It also includes the bark beetles as subfamily Scolytinae, which are modified[unreliable source?] in shape in accordance with their wood-boring lifestyle. They do not much resemble other weevils, so they were traditionally considered a distinct family, Scolytidae. The family also includes the ambrosia beetles, of which the present-day subfamily Platypodinae was formerly considered the distinct family Platypodidae.
Description[edit]
They are recognized by their distinctive long snout and geniculate antennae with small clubs; beyond that, curculionids have considerable diversity of form and size, with adult lengths ranging from 1 to 40 millimetres (0.04 to 1.57 in).
Weevils are almost entirely plant feeders, and most species are associated with a narrow range of hosts, in many cases only living on a single species. With so many species to classify and over 400 genera, the taxonomy of this family is quite complicated, and authors disagree on the number and placement of various subfamilies, tribes and subtribes.
Phylogeny and systematics[edit]
The phylogeny of the group is complex; with 40 000 species there is a spirited debate about the relationships between subfamilies and genera. A 1997 analysis attempted to construct a phylogeny based mainly on larval characteristics.[1]
Almost two dozen subfamilies are recognized by some authors even when merging those that are certainly invalid. Others, however, recognize a lesser number – the only subfamilies that are almost universally considered valid are the Baridinae, Cossoninae, Curculioninae, Cyclominae, Entiminae, Molytinae, Platypodinae and Scolytinae. The various proposed taxonomic schemes typically each usually recognize again as many additional subfamilies, but there is little agreement between authorities about which ones of those below these are. In particular the delimitation of the Molytinae has proven difficult.
The subfamilies considered valid by at least some authors today:
- Bagoinae (sometimes in Molytinae)
- Baridinae
- Brachycerinae (disputed)
- Ceutorhynchinae (sometimes in Baridinae, Curculioninae or Molytinae)
- Conoderinae (sometimes in Baridinae)
- Cossoninae
- Cryptorhynchinae (sometimes in Curculioninae)
- Curculioninae – flower weevils, acorn and nut weevils
- Cyclominae
- Dryophthorinae (disputed)
- Entiminae – broad-nosed weevils
- Erirhininae (sometimes in Brachycerinae)
- Gonipterinae (sometimes in Curculioninae)
- Hyperinae (sometimes in Molytinae)
- Leptoniinae[verification needed] (disputed)
- Lixinae (sometimes in Molytinae)
- Mesoptiliinae (sometimes in Molytinae)
- Molytinae
- Orobitidinae (sometimes in Baridinae)
- Platypodinae – typical ambrosia beetles
- Raymondionyminae (sometimes in Brachycerinae)
- Scolytinae – bark beetles
- Xiphaspidinae (sometimes in Baridinae)
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Adriana E. Marvaldi (1997). "Higher level phylogeny of Curculionidae (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) based mainly on larval characters, with special reference to broad-nosed weevils" (PDF). Cladistics 13 (4): 285–312. doi:10.1111/j.1096-0031.1997.tb00321.x.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ |
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Source | http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Curculionidae&oldid=635101466 |
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Specimens with Barcodes: 1
Species With Barcodes: 1
Curculionidae (Weevils, Snout Beetles)
This is a very large family of beetles. The adults range in size from small to large; they have stout bodies and a hard carapace. Weevils have a long narrow snout projecting from the head, with a pair of short, jointed antennae toward the middle of this snout. This provides them with a distinctive appearance. Weevils are generally dull tannish brown or grey, but sometimes have carapace that is red, green, or shiny black. Both adults and larvae feed on various parts of many kinds of plants, and can be very destructive. However, adults sometimes visit flowers to feed on pollen or nectar.
Insect activities:
sn = sucks nectar
- Hilty, J. Editor. 2015. Insect Visitors of Illinois Wildflowers. World Wide Web electronic publication. illinoiswildflowers.info, version (09/2015)
See: Abbreviations for Insect Activities, Abbreviations for Scientific Observers, References for behavioral observations
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2015 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/flower_insects/files/beetles.htm |
In Great Britain and/or Ireland:
Animal / predator / stocks nest with
female of Cerceris quadricincta stocks nest with larva of Curculionidae
Animal / predator / stocks nest with
female of Cerceris quinquefasciata stocks nest with Curculionidae
Animal / predator / stocks nest with
female of Cerceris ruficornis stocks nest with Curculionidae
Animal / predator / stocks nest with
female of Odynerus melanocephalus stocks nest with larva of Curculionidae
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | BioImages, BioImages - the Virtual Fieldguide (UK) |
Source | http://www.bioimages.org.uk/html/Curculionidae.htm |
Curculionidae (Tenebrionidae, Orthoptera, Curculionidae) is prey of:
Sitta carolinensis
Melanerpes erythrocephalus
Gerbillus
Solpugidae
Scorpiones
Araneae
Talpinae
Typhlosaurus
Canis
Hyaeninae
Aves
Based on studies in:
USA: Illinois (Forest)
Namibia, Namib Desert (Desert or dune)
This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.
- A. C. Twomey, The bird population of an elm-maple forest with special reference to aspection, territorialism, and coactions, Ecol. Monogr. 15(2):175-205, from p. 202 (1945).
- E. Holm and C. H. Scholtz, Structure and pattern of the Namib Desert dune ecosystem at Gobabeb, Madoqua 12(1):3-39, from p. 21 (1980).
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Cynthia Sims Parr, Joel Sachs, SPIRE |
Source | http://spire.umbc.edu/fwc/ |
Curculionidae (Tenebrionidae, Orthoptera, Curculionidae) preys on:
leaves
roots
wood
bark
angiosperms
Stipagrostis
Monsonia
Eragrostis
perennials
Based on studies in:
New Zealand (Grassland)
USA: Illinois (Forest)
Tibet (Montane)
Namibia, Namib Desert (Desert or dune)
This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.
- A. C. Twomey, The bird population of an elm-maple forest with special reference to aspection, territorialism, and coactions, Ecol. Monogr. 15(2):175-205, from p. 202 (1945).
- L. W. Swan, The ecology of the high Himalayas, Sci. Am. 205:68-78, from pp. 76-77 (October 1961).
- E. Holm and C. H. Scholtz, Structure and pattern of the Namib Desert dune ecosystem at Gobabeb, Madoqua 12(1):3-39, from p. 21 (1980).
- K. Paviour-Smith, The biotic community of a salt meadow in New Zealand, Trans. R. Soc. N.Z. 83(3):525-554, from p. 542 (1956).
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Cynthia Sims Parr, Joel Sachs, SPIRE |
Source | http://spire.umbc.edu/fwc/ |
Hairs create colors: weevils
Hairs of weevils produce metallic blue and green coloring by having fine, scaly structure.
"Other insects, such as weevils, owe their magnificent sky blue or metallic green colours to a clothing of fine scaly hairs." (Wootton 1984:140)
Learn more about this functional adaptation.
- Wootton, A. 1984. Insects of the World. Blandford. 224 p.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | (c) 2008-2009 The Biomimicry Institute |
Source | http://www.asknature.org/strategy/5c46f4976c962d9e3fe0c5005ab017d0 |
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) Stats
Specimen Records:32423
Specimens with Sequences:22749
Specimens with Barcodes:18089
Species:4019
Species With Barcodes:3019
Public Records:8312
Public Species:1845
Public BINs:1788