''Anthonomus'' is a genus of

weevil Weevils are beetles belonging to the superfamily Curculionoidea, known for their elongated snouts. They are usually small – less than in length – and herbivorous. Approximately 97,000 species of weevils are known. They belong to several fa ...

s. This genus includes major agricultural pests such as the

boll weevil The boll weevil (''Anthonomus grandis'') is a species of beetle in the family Curculionidae. The boll weevil feeds on cotton buds and flowers. Thought to be native to Central Mexico, it migrated into the United States from Mexico in the late 19 ...

, strawberry blossom weevil, and pepper weevil, as well as promising

biological pest control Biological control or biocontrol is a method of controlling pests, whether pest animals such as insects and mites, weeds, or pathogens affecting animals or plants by using other organisms. It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or ot ...

agents such as ''

Anthonomus santacruzi ''Anthonomus santacruzi'' is a species of weevil that is a promising biocontrol agent for ''Solanum mauritianum'', a major ecological weed in high-rainfall regions of South Africa. The weevil exhibits a preference for ''S. mauritianum'' and poss ...

''.

Taxonomy

The taxonomy of the genus is still under revision. It is unclear whether '' Cnemocyllus'' should be a genus or a subgenus within ''Anthonomus''. Research suggests that the genus ''

Hampea ''Hampea'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family (biology), family Malvaceae. They are trees native to Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. There are about 21 species. Species include: * ''Hampea appendiculata'' * ''Hampea breedlovei'' ...

'' in the

mallow family Malvaceae (), or the mallows, is a family of flowering plants estimated to contain 244 genera with 4225 known species. Well-known members of economic importance include cacao, cola, cotton, okra, roselle and durian. There are also some genera co ...

was the original host plant for the ''A. grandis'' species group.

References

* Curculioninae Curculionidae genera {{Curculioninae-stub

Taxonomy

See also

References