Curculionidae - Cionus Hortulanus
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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 fa ...
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 distribution, cosmopolitan family of primarily xylophagy, xylophagous beetles also known as straight-snouted weevils; they have sometimes been called "primitive weevils", but this name also applies to taxa such as the ...
. 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 th ...
s as the
subfamily 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 botanical subfamily names with "-oideae", and zo ...
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 or stressed trees into which they introduc ...
s, of which the present-day
subfamily 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 botanical subfamily names with "-oideae", and zo ...
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 t ...
was formerly considered the distinct family Platypodidae.


Description

Adult Curculionidae can be recognised by the well-developed, downwards-curved snout (
rostrum Rostrum may refer to: * Any kind of a platform for a speaker: **dais **pulpit ** podium * Rostrum (anatomy), a beak, or anatomical structure resembling a beak, as in the mouthparts of many sucking insects * Rostrum (ship), a form of bow on naval ...
) 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 sexes of the same species exhibit different Morphology (biology), morphological characteristics, including characteristics not directly involved in reproduction. The condition occurs in most dioecy, di ...
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, robust mandibles and no legs. 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 Fungus, fungal symbionts of ambrosia beetles including the polyphagous shot hole borer, polyphagous and Kuroshio shot hole borers. There are a few dozen species described ambrosia fungi, currently placed in polyphyletic genera '' ...
(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 The maize weevil (''Sitophilus zeamais''), known in the United States as the greater rice weevil, is a species of beetle in the family Curculionidae. It can be found in numerous tropical areas around the world, and in the United States, and is a m ...
'', 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, usually to plants and their fruits in their larval stage. 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 of ...
'' and ''
Copturus ''Copturus'' is a genus of true weevils in the beetle family Curculionidae The Curculionidae are a family of weevils, commonly called snout beetles or true weevils. They are one of the largest animal families with 6,800 genera and 83,000 speci ...
''.


Phylogeny and systematics

The
phylogeny A phylogenetic tree or phylogeny is a graphical representation which shows the evolutionary history between a set of species or Taxon, taxa during a specific time.Felsenstein J. (2004). ''Inferring Phylogenies'' Sinauer Associates: Sunderland, M ...
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 ''Pachyrhynchus, Pachyrrhynchus''. In co ...
) 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 botanical subfamily names with "-oideae", and zool ...
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 pest (organ ...
,
Cossoninae Cossoninae is a true weevil subfamily in the family Curculionidae. Tribes * Acamptini LeConte, 1876 * Acanthinomerini Voss, 1972 * Allomorphini Folwaczny, 1973 * Aphyllurini Voss, 1955 * Araucariini Kuschel, 1966 * Choerorhinini Folwaczny, ...
,
Curculioninae The beetle subfamily Curculioninae is part of the weevil family (biology), 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 (biology), or ...
,
Cyclominae Cyclominae is a subfamily 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 weevi ...
,
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 ''Pachyrhynchus, Pachyrrhynchus''. In co ...
,
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 * ...
,
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 t ...
, 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 280px, Generalized scheme of taxonomy Taxonomy is a practice and science concerned with classification or categorization. Typically, there are two parts to it: the development of an underlying scheme of classes (a taxonomy) and the allocation ...
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 * ...
has proven difficult. The timeline for current and extant weevil speciation and diversification is consistent with the radiation of
gymnosperm The gymnosperms ( ; ) are a group of woody, perennial Seed plant, seed-producing plants, typically lacking the protective outer covering which surrounds the seeds in flowering plants, that include Pinophyta, conifers, cycads, Ginkgo, and gnetoph ...
s 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 pest (organ ...
*
Brachycerinae Brachycerinae is a weevil subfamily in the family Brachyceridae. Tribes Tribus group "Brachycerinae": * Brachycerini - Brotheusini - Byrsopini - Protomantini Tribus group "Erirhininae": * Arthrostenini - Erirhinini - Himasthlophallini - Steno ...
(disputed; sometimes placed at family level) * Ceutorhynchinae (sometimes in Baridinae) * Conoderinae (sometimes in Baridinae) *
Cossoninae Cossoninae is a true weevil subfamily in the family Curculionidae. Tribes * Acamptini LeConte, 1876 * Acanthinomerini Voss, 1972 * Allomorphini Folwaczny, 1973 * Aphyllurini Voss, 1955 * Araucariini Kuschel, 1966 * Choerorhinini Folwaczny, ...
*
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 ...
(sometimes in Curculioninae) ** '' Acalles'' *
Curculioninae The beetle subfamily Curculioninae is part of the weevil family (biology), 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 (biology), or ...
– flower weevils, acorn and nut weevils *
Cyclominae Cyclominae is a subfamily 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 weevi ...
*
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 ''Pachyrhynchus, Pachyrrhynchus''. In co ...
– broad-nosed weevils *
Hyperinae Hyperinae is a subfamily of true weevils. Species are sometimes placed in Molytinae Molytinae is a subfamily of weevils described by Carl Johan Schönherr in 1823. Molytinae includes the following tribes: * Amalactini * Aminyopini * A ...
(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 kna ...
(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 * ...
* 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 t ...
– 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 or stressed trees into which they introduc ...
s, "higher" Curculionidaes * Raymondionyminae (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 is a color that results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without chroma, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness.Eva Heller, ''Psyc ...
*
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 ...
* 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 drast ...
* '' Hylobius'' * ''
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 rangin ...
'' * '' 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 Articles containing video clips