Weevil: Difference between revisions
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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, ''[[Escherichia coli|E. coli]]'' infection and other various diseases can be contracted from weevils, depending on their diet. |
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, ''[[Escherichia coli|E. coli]]'' infection and other various diseases can be contracted from weevils, depending on their diet. |
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==Taxonomy== |
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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 [[antenna (biology)|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 [[arthropod leg|trochanters]]) but have long scapes and geniculate antennae. From the true weevils, [[Gonipterinae]] and [[Ramphus]] have short scapes and little or no elbow. |
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==Phylogeny== |
==Phylogeny== |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Zimmerman, E.C. (1994). Australian Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea). Volume 1. Orthoceri: Anthribidae to Attelabidae: The Primitive Weevils. CSIRO, East Melbourne, 741 pp. |
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==Gallery== |
==Gallery== |
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Revision as of 07:35, 19 March 2007
| Weevil | |
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| Acorn Weevil Curculio Species | |
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| Superfamily: | Curculionoidea Latreille, 1802
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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
- In the episode Evil Weevil of Courage the Cowardly Dog a weevil works as the butler for the Bagges, but actually wanted to suck Muriel and Eustace's blood.
References
Zimmerman, E.C. (1994). Australian Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea). Volume 1. Orthoceri: Anthribidae to Attelabidae: The Primitive Weevils. CSIRO, East Melbourne, 741 pp.
Gallery
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A weevil of the Belidae family on parsley flowers -
A weevil from India -
An Attelabid weevil from India
- ^ 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.
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