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| subdivision_ranks = [[Family (biology)|Families]]
| subdivision_ranks = [[Family (biology)|Families]]
| subdivision =
| subdivision =

[[Nemonychidae]] - pine flower weevils<br>
[[Anthribidae]] - fungus weevils<br>
[[Anthribidae]] - fungus weevils<br>
[[Belidae]] - primitive weevils<br>
[[Attelabidae]] - leaf rolling weevils<br>
[[Attelabidae]] - leaf rolling weevils<br>
[[Belidae]] - primitive weevils<br>
[[Brentidae]] - straight snout weevils<br>
[[Brentidae]] - straight snout weevils<br>
[[Caridae]]<br>
[[Caridae]]<br>
[[Curculionidae]] - true weevils<br>
[[Ithyceridae]] - New York weevil<br>
[[Ithyceridae]] - New York weevil<br>
[[Nanophyidae]]<br>
[[Curculionidae]] - true weevils
[[Nemonychidae]] - pine flower weevils}}
}}
{{wikispecies|Curculionoidea}}
{{wikispecies|Curculionoidea}}
A '''weevil''' is any [[beetle]] from the '''Curculionoidea''' [[superfamily]]. They are usually small, less than 6&nbsp;[[millimetre|mm]] (¼&nbsp;[[inch]]), and [[Herbivore|herbivorous]]. Due to the shape of their heads, weevils are commonly known as '''snout beetles'''. There are over 60,000 species in several families, mostly in the family [[Curculionidae]] (the [[true weevil]]s). Some other beetles, although not closely related, bear the name "weevil", such as the [[Drugstore beetle|biscuit weevil]] (''Stegobium paniceum'') which belongs to the family [[Anobiidae]].
A '''weevil''' is any [[beetle]] from the '''Curculionoidea''' [[superfamily]]. They are usually small, less than 6&nbsp;[[millimetre|mm]] (¼&nbsp;[[inch]]), and [[Herbivore|herbivorous]]. Due to the shape of their heads, weevils are commonly known as '''snout beetles'''. There are over 60,000 species in several families, mostly in the family [[Curculionidae]] (the [[true weevil]]s). Some other beetles, although not closely related, bear the name "weevil", such as the [[Drugstore beetle|biscuit weevil]] (''Stegobium paniceum'') which belongs to the family [[Anobiidae]].

Revision as of 07:46, 19 March 2007

Weevil
Acorn Weevil Curculio Species
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Suborder:
Infraorder:
Superfamily:
Curculionoidea

Latreille, 1802
Families

Anthribidae - fungus weevils
Attelabidae - leaf rolling weevils
Belidae - primitive weevils
Brentidae - straight snout weevils
Caridae
Curculionidae - true weevils
Ithyceridae - New York weevil
Nanophyidae
Nemonychidae - pine flower weevils

A weevil is any beetle from the Curculionoidea superfamily. They are usually small, less than 6 mm (¼ inch), and herbivorous. Due to the shape of their heads, weevils are commonly known as snout beetles. There are over 60,000 species in several families, mostly in the family Curculionidae (the true weevils). Some other beetles, although not closely related, bear the name "weevil", such as the biscuit weevil (Stegobium paniceum) which belongs to the family Anobiidae.

Many weevils are damaging to crops. The grain or wheat weevil (Sitophilus granarius) damages stored grain. The boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis) attacks cotton crops. It lays its eggs inside unripe cotton bolls, and the young weevils eat their way out. Zyzzyva is a genus of tropical American weevils.

Weevils are most likely to be observed in a domestic setting when opening a bag of flour although they will happily infest most types of grain including oats, barley and breakfast cereals. If ingested, E. coli infection and other various diseases can be contracted from weevils, depending on their diet.

Taxonomy

Because there are so many species and such diversity, the higher classification of weevils is in a state of flux. Weevils are generally divided into two major divisions, the Orthoceri or primitive weevils, and the Gonatoceri or true weevils (Curculionidae). Zimmerman (1994) proposed a third division, the Heteromorphi, for several intermediate forms. Primitive weevils are distinguished by having straight antennae, while true weevils have elbowed (geniculate) antennae. The elbow occurs at the end of the scape (first antennal segment) in true weevils, and is usually much longer than the other antennal segments. Some exceptions occur. Nanophyidae are primitive weevils (with very long trochanters) but have long scapes and geniculate antennae. From the true weevils, Gonipterinae and Ramphus have short scapes and little or no elbow.

Phylogeny

A phylogeny of the Curculionoidea based on 18S ribosomal DNA and morphological data is suggested below:[1]

Trivia

References

Zimmerman, E.C. (1994). Australian Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea). Volume 1. Orthoceri: Anthribidae to Attelabidae: The Primitive Weevils. CSIRO, East Melbourne, 741 pp.

  1. ^ A. E. Marvaldi, A. S. Sequeira, C. W. O'Brien & B. D. Farrell (2002). "Molecular and morphological phylogenetics of weevils (Coleoptera, Curculionoidea): do niche shifts accompany diversification?". Systematic Biology. 51 (5): 761–785. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |quotes= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)