
The Curculionidae are a family 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 families, ...
s, commonly called snout beetles or true weevils. They are one of the largest animal families, with 6,800 genera and 83,000 species described worldwide. They are the sister group to the family
Brentidae
Brentidae is a cosmopolitan family of primarily xylophagous beetles also known as straight-snouted weevils. The concept of this family has been recently expanded with the inclusion of three groups formerly placed in the Curculionidae; the sub ...
.
They include the
bark beetle
A bark beetle is the common name for the subfamily of beetles Scolytinae. Previously, this was considered a distinct family (Scolytidae), but is now understood to be a specialized clade of the "true weevil" family ( Curculionidae). Although t ...
s as the
subfamily Scolytinae
A bark beetle is the common name for the subfamily of beetles Scolytinae. Previously, this was considered a distinct family (Scolytidae), but is now understood to be a specialized clade of the "true weevil" family ( Curculionidae). Although th ...
, which are modified 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 beetle
Ambrosia beetles are beetles of the weevil subfamilies Scolytinae and Platypodinae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), which live in nutritional symbiosis with ambrosia fungi. The beetles excavate tunnels in dead, stressed, and healthy trees in which t ...
s, of which the present-day
subfamily Platypodinae
Platypodinae is a weevil subfamily in the family Curculionidae. They are important early decomposers of dead woody plant material in wet tropics; all but two species are ambrosia beetles that cultivate fungi in tunnels excavated in dead wood as ...
was formerly considered the distinct family Platypodidae.
Description
Adult Curculionidae can be recognised by the well-developed, downwards-curved snout (
rostrum) possessed by many species, though the rostrum is sometimes short (e.g. Entiminae).
They have elbowed
antennae that end in clubs, and the first antennal segment often fits into a groove in the side of the rostrum.
The body tends to be robust, convex, heavily sclerotised and covered in scales or bristles.
Curculionidae range in size from 1-35 mm long, usually being 5-15 mm long.
Most Curculionidae are
sexually dimorphic
Sexual dimorphism is the condition where the sexes of the same animal and/or plant species exhibit different morphological characteristics, particularly characteristics not directly involved in reproduction. The condition occurs in most ani ...
with females (compared to males) having antennae positioned more basally and a longer, thinner rostrum.
Larval Curculionidae are C-shaped and lightly sclerotised, with minute antennae and robust mandibles.
They almost always lack legs, except in some basal taxa.
Most weevils feed on plants as larvae and adults, and they include important pests of cultivated plants that chew holes in fruits, nuts and other parts.
The long rostrum possessed by most adult weevils is used by females to help lay eggs (oviposit) inside plant tissue.
Some feed on rotten wood or bark (e.g. Cossoninae and Cryptorhynchinae), and some are
wood-borers that feed on
ambrosia fungi Ambrosia fungi are fungal symbionts of ambrosia beetles including the polyphagous and Kuroshio shot hole borers.
There are a few dozen species described ambrosia fungi, currently placed in polyphyletic genera '' Ambrosiella'', '' Rafaellea'' an ...
(Platypodinae and some Scolytinae).

Although pesticide resistance hasn't historically been an issue with these insects, recently a mutation was discovered in association with the voltage-gated sodium channel in the species ''
Sitophilus zeamais'', indicating there is a lot to learn about how these insects adapt to changing environments.
Behavior
When disturbed, adult curculionids often
play dead by lying motionless on their backs.
Many species of weevils are common household and garden pests, but don't harm people, pets, or buildings. Their presence is more of a temporary nuisance. In tropical areas they have larger effects, specifically several species in the genera ''
Conotrachelus
''Conotrachelus'' is a genus of true weevils in the family Curculionidae. It is a very large genus with well over 1,000 species, several of which are pests of fruit crops.O'Brien, C. W., & Couturier, G. (1995)Two new agricultural pest species o ...
'' and ''
Copturus
''Copturus'' is a genus of true weevils in the beetle
Beetles are insects that form the order Coleoptera (), in the superorder Endopterygota. Their front pair of wings are hardened into wing-cases, elytra, distinguishing them from most ...
''.
''
Cylas formicarius'' has been observed with an increased amount of inbreeding suppression than is normal for the average population of weevils, both intraspecific and interspecific.
Phylogeny and systematics
The
phylogeny
A phylogenetic tree (also phylogeny or evolutionary tree Felsenstein J. (2004). ''Inferring Phylogenies'' Sinauer Associates: Sunderland, MA.) is a branching diagram or a tree showing the evolutionary relationships among various biological spe ...
of the group is complex; with so many species, a spirited debate exists about the relationships between subfamilies and genera. A 1997 analysis attempted to construct a phylogeny based mainly on larval characteristics.
Recent work on the phylogenetic relationships in weevils mentions the two subfamily groups Adelognatha (''short-nosed weevils'', subfamily
Entiminae
The Entiminae are a large subfamily in the weevil family Curculionidae, containing most of the short-nosed weevils, including such genera as '' Entimus'', '' Otiorhynchus'', '' Phyllobius'', '' Sitona'', and '' Pachyrrhynchus''. In comparison ...
) and Phanerognatha (''long-nosed weevils'', subfamilies of Curculionidae other than Entiminae) for the species of Curculionidae.
Almost two dozen
subfamilies
In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoologi ...
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
Baridinae is a subfamily of true weevils (Curculionidae). It was established by Carl Johan Schönherr in 1836. Some 4,300 species in 550 genera are placed here, most of which occur in the New World. A few are economically significant pests, whi ...
,
Cossoninae,
Curculioninae
The beetle subfamily Curculioninae is part of the weevil family Curculionidae. It contains over 23,500 described species in 2,200 genera, and is therefore the largest weevil subfamily. Given that the beetle order (Coleoptera) contains about o ...
,
Cyclominae
Cyclominae is a subfamily of weevils.
Tribes
From Oberprieler (2010)
* Amycterini
* Aterpini
* Cyclomini
* Dichotrachelini
* Hipporhinini
* Listroderini
Listroderini is a tribe of weevil.
Subtribes
After Morrone (2013).
* Macrostyp ...
,
Entiminae
The Entiminae are a large subfamily in the weevil family Curculionidae, containing most of the short-nosed weevils, including such genera as '' Entimus'', '' Otiorhynchus'', '' Phyllobius'', '' Sitona'', and '' Pachyrrhynchus''. In comparison ...
,
Molytinae
Molytinae is a subfamily of weevils described by Carl Johan Schönherr in 1823.
Molytinae includes the following tribes:
* Amalactini
* Aminyopini
* Amorphocerini
* Anchonini
* Cholini
* Cleogonini
* Conotrachelini
* Cycloterini
* Din ...
,
Platypodinae
Platypodinae is a weevil subfamily in the family Curculionidae. They are important early decomposers of dead woody plant material in wet tropics; all but two species are ambrosia beetles that cultivate fungi in tunnels excavated in dead wood as ...
, and
Scolytinae
A bark beetle is the common name for the subfamily of beetles Scolytinae. Previously, this was considered a distinct family (Scolytidae), but is now understood to be a specialized clade of the "true weevil" family ( Curculionidae). Although th ...
. The various proposed
taxonomic schemes typically recognize as many additional subfamilies again, but little agreement is seen between authorities about which. In particular, the delimitation of the
Molytinae
Molytinae is a subfamily of weevils described by Carl Johan Schönherr in 1823.
Molytinae includes the following tribes:
* Amalactini
* Aminyopini
* Amorphocerini
* Anchonini
* Cholini
* Cleogonini
* Conotrachelini
* Cycloterini
* Din ...
has proven difficult.
The timeline for current and extant weevil speciation and diversification is consistent with the radiation of gymnosperms during the Mesozoic period.

The subfamilies considered valid by at least some authors today:
*
Bagoinae (sometimes in Molytinae)
*
Baridinae
Baridinae is a subfamily of true weevils (Curculionidae). It was established by Carl Johan Schönherr in 1836. Some 4,300 species in 550 genera are placed here, most of which occur in the New World. A few are economically significant pests, whi ...
*
Brachycerinae (disputed)
*
Conoderinae (sometimes in Baridinae)
*
Cossoninae
*
Cryptorhynchinae
Cryptorhynchinae is a large subfamily of weevils ( Curculionidae), with some 6000 species. They are found in most zoogeographic regions although they are most diverse in the Neotropics, Australia and Oceania.
They are distinguished by having t ...
(sometimes in Curculioninae)
** ''
Acalles
''Acalles'' is a genus of beetles in the family Curculionidae. Beetles of this genus can be found in southeastern North America living among leaf litter or dead branches and vines. There are at least 570 species in the Acalles genus.
See also
* ...
''
*
Curculioninae
The beetle subfamily Curculioninae is part of the weevil family Curculionidae. It contains over 23,500 described species in 2,200 genera, and is therefore the largest weevil subfamily. Given that the beetle order (Coleoptera) contains about o ...
– flower weevils, acorn and nut weevils
*
Cyclominae
Cyclominae is a subfamily of weevils.
Tribes
From Oberprieler (2010)
* Amycterini
* Aterpini
* Cyclomini
* Dichotrachelini
* Hipporhinini
* Listroderini
Listroderini is a tribe of weevil.
Subtribes
After Morrone (2013).
* Macrostyp ...
*
Dryophthorinae
Dryophthorinae is a weevil subfamily within the family Curculionidae. While it is not universally accepted as distinct from other curculionid subfamilies, at least one major recent revision elevated it to family rank, as DryophthoridaeAlonso-Zara ...
(sometimes placed at family level)
*
Entiminae
The Entiminae are a large subfamily in the weevil family Curculionidae, containing most of the short-nosed weevils, including such genera as '' Entimus'', '' Otiorhynchus'', '' Phyllobius'', '' Sitona'', and '' Pachyrrhynchus''. In comparison ...
– broad-nosed weevils
* Etheridgea (disputed)
*
Hyperinae (sometimes in Molytinae)
*
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 ...
(sometimes in Molytinae)
*
Mesoptiliinae (sometimes in Molytinae)
*
Molytinae
Molytinae is a subfamily of weevils described by Carl Johan Schönherr in 1823.
Molytinae includes the following tribes:
* Amalactini
* Aminyopini
* Amorphocerini
* Anchonini
* Cholini
* Cleogonini
* Conotrachelini
* Cycloterini
* Din ...
*
Orobitidinae (sometimes in Baridinae)
*
Platypodinae
Platypodinae is a weevil subfamily in the family Curculionidae. They are important early decomposers of dead woody plant material in wet tropics; all but two species are ambrosia beetles that cultivate fungi in tunnels excavated in dead wood as ...
– typical
ambrosia beetle
Ambrosia beetles are beetles of the weevil subfamilies Scolytinae and Platypodinae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), which live in nutritional symbiosis with ambrosia fungi. The beetles excavate tunnels in dead, stressed, and healthy trees in which t ...
s, "higher" Curculionidaes
[Gunter, N. L., Oberprieler, R. G., and Cameron, S. L. (2016) Molecular phylogenetics of Australian weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea): exploring relationships in a hyperdiverse lineage through comparison of independent analyses. Austral Entomology, 55: 217– 233. doi: 10.1111/aen.12173.]
*
Raymondionyminae
Raymondionyminae is a subfamily of snout and bark beetles in the family Brachyceridae. There are at least three genera and two described species in Raymondionyminae.
Genera
These three genera belong to the subfamily Raymondionyminae:
* '' Alaoc ...
(sometimes in Brachycerinae)
*
Scolytinae
A bark beetle is the common name for the subfamily of beetles Scolytinae. Previously, this was considered a distinct family (Scolytidae), but is now understood to be a specialized clade of the "true weevil" family ( Curculionidae). Although th ...
– bark beetles
*
Xiphaspidinae (sometimes in Baridinae)
See also
*
Black vine weevil
Black vine weevil (''Otiorhynchus sulcatus'') is an insect native to Europe but common in North America as well. It is a pest of many garden plants.
Overview
The adult weevil is matte black with fused wing covers, and is unable to fly. It feeds ...
*
Boll weevil
The boll weevil (''Anthonomus grandis'') is a beetle that feeds on cotton buds and flowers. Thought to be native to Central Mexico, it migrated into the United States from Mexico in the late 19th century and had infested all U.S. cotton-growing ...
*
Pecan weevil
*
Wheat weevil
The wheat weevil (''Sitophilus granarius''), also known as the grain weevil or granary weevil, is an insect that feeds on cereal grains, and is a common pest in many places. It can cause significant damage to harvested stored grains and may drasti ...
* ''
Hylobius
''Hylobius'' is a genus of true weevils (family Curculionidae). Several ''Hylobius'' species are major pests of coniferous trees.
Species
Species include:
*''Hylobius abietis'' Linnaeus, 1758 — pine weevil
*''Hylobius albosparsus'' Boheman ...
''
* ''
Orthorhinus cylindrirostris
''Orthorhinus cylindrirostris'', commonly known as the elephant weevil, is a species of Curculionidae. In Australia they are considered a major pest to wine companies.
Description
Color and size are extremely variable with the adult size rang ...
''
* ''
Premnotrypes''
* ''
Scolytoplatypus
''Scolytoplatypus'' is a genus of beetles belonging to the family Curculionidae. The genus contains about 47 to 50 species worldwide. In Asia, 29 species known, 11 or 12 are known in African continent and 7 species in Madagascar.
Males and fema ...
''
*
Pests and diseases of roses
References
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Curculionidae
Insect vectors of plant pathogens
Beetle families
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