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Lixinae
Lixinae is a subfamily of true weevils, included in the Molytinae in many older treatments. They are mainly root feeders, although some develop in flower buds or stems. Several species are used in biological control of invasive weeds, namely knapweeds (''Centaurea''). Characteristics include tarsal claws that are fused at the base, and labial palps are short and telescoping. The body is elongate shape, as for some other weevils. Each tibia bears an uncus (small hook) on its distal end. The rostrum is forwardly directed. Genesis Bearing in mind modern geographical distribution of Lixinae and its feeding links, it is considered to be that this subfamily appeared in Euroasian lands, when the area of Tethys Ocean demenished. Probably, lixine weevils formed as group in the arid conditions of the deserts of Ancient Mediterranean. From here pra-lixine spread out the over dryland. Taxonomy There are three tribes. The largest of these by far are the Cleonini, sometimes ranked a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Knapweed
''Centaurea'' () is a genus of over 700 species of herbaceous thistle-like flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Members of the genus are found only north of the equator, mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere; the Middle East and surrounding regions are particularly species-rich. Common names Common names for this genus are centaury, centory, starthistles, knapweeds, centaureas and the more ambiguous "bluets"; a vernacular name used for these plants in parts of England is "loggerheads" ( common knapweed). The ''Plectocephalus'' group – possibly a distinct genus – is known as basketflowers. "Cornflower" is used for a few species, but that term more often specifically means either '' C. cyanus'' (the annual cornflower) or '' Centaurea montana'' (the perennial cornflower). The common name "centaury" is sometimes used, although this also refers to the unrelated plant genus '' Centaurium''.Keil (2006), Keil & Ochsmann (2006). The name is said to be in reference to Chir ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
