Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Curculionidae

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Kingdom
  
Suborder
  
Polyphaga

Superfamily
  
Curculionoidea

Higher classification
  
Weevil

Rank
  
Family

Order
  
Coleoptera

Infraorder
  
Scientific name
  
Curculionidae

Phylum
  
Curculionidae bugguidenetimagesrawTHGHVHTHGHVHMHCH4HCHXHFH

Lower classifications
  
Bark beetle, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, Rice weevil, Otiorhynchus, Wheat weevil

The Curculionidae comprises the family of the "true" weevils (or "snout beetles"). It is one of the largest animal families, with 5,489 genera and 86,100 species described worldwide.

Contents

Curculionidae Weevils Family Curculionidae

It also includes the bark beetles as subfamily Scolytinae, 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 beetles, of which the present-day subfamily Platypodinae was formerly considered the distinct family Platypodidae.

Curculionidae Posando para la foto Familia Curculionidae Coleoptera Flickr

Description

Curculionidae Photo 57485 Curculionidae sp

They are recognized by their distinctive long snouts and geniculate antennae with small clubs; beyond that, curculionids have considerable diversity of form and size, with adult lengths ranging from 1 to 40 mm (0.04 to 1.57 in).

Curculionidae Curculionidae Wikipedia

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

Curculionidae ENT 425 General Entomology Resource Library

The phylogeny 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.

Curculionidae ENT 425 General Entomology Resource Library

Recent work on the phylogenetic relationships in weevils mentions the two subfamily groups Adelognatha (short-nosed weevils, subfamily Entiminae) and Phanerognatha (long-nosed weevils, subfamilies of Curculionidae other than Entiminae) for the species of Curculionidae.

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 recognize as many additional subfamilies again, but little agreement is seen between authorities about which. 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)
  • Conoderinae (sometimes in Baridinae)
  • Cossoninae
  • Cryptorhynchinae (sometimes in Curculioninae)
  • Acalles
  • Curculioninae – flower weevils, acorn and nut weevils
  • Cyclominae
  • Dryophthorinae (disputed)
  • Entiminae – broad-nosed weevils
  • Hyperinae (sometimes in Molytinae)
  • 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)
  • References

    Curculionidae Wikipedia


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