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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<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> species described worldwide. They are the sister group to the family Brentidae.<ref name=nlg>Template:Cite journal</ref>
They include the bark beetles as the subfamily Scolytinae, which are modified Template:Unreliable source? 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.
DescriptionEdit
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).<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They have elbowed antennae that end in clubs, and the first antennal segment often fits into a groove in the side of the rostrum.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> The body tends to be robust, convex, heavily sclerotised and covered in scales or bristles.<ref name=":0" /> Curculionidae range in size from 1–35 mm long, usually being 5–15 mm long.<ref name=":1" /> Most Curculionidae are sexually dimorphic with females (compared to males) having antennae positioned more basally and a longer, thinner rostrum.<ref name=":1" />
Larval Curculionidae are C-shaped and lightly sclerotised, with minute antennae, robust mandibles<ref name=":0" /> and no legs.<ref name=":2" />
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.<ref name=":1" /> The long rostrum possessed by most adult weevils is used by females to help lay eggs (oviposit) inside plant tissue.<ref name=":2" /> Some feed on rotten wood or bark (e.g. Cossoninae and Cryptorhynchinae), and some are wood-borers that feed on ambrosia fungi (Platypodinae and some Scolytinae).<ref name=":0" />
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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.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
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BehaviorEdit
When disturbed, adult curculionids often play dead by lying motionless on their backs.<ref name=":1" />
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 and Copturus.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Phylogeny and systematicsEdit
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.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite journal</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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.Template:Cn
The timeline for current and extant weevil speciation and diversification is consistent with the radiation of gymnosperms during the Mesozoic period.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
The subfamilies considered valid by at least some authors today:
- Bagoinae (sometimes in Molytinae)
- Baridinae
- Brachycerinae (disputed; sometimes placed at family level)
- Ceutorhynchinae (sometimes in Baridinae)
- Conoderinae (sometimes in Baridinae)
- Cossoninae
- Cryptorhynchinae (sometimes in Curculioninae)File:Cionus tuberculosus - 2012-06-29.ogvCionus tuberculosus (Curculioninae)
- Curculioninae – flower weevils, acorn and nut weevils
- Cyclominae
- Dryophthorinae (sometimes placed at family level)
- 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, "higher" Curculionidaes<ref name=nlg/>
- Raymondionyminae (sometimes in Brachycerinae)
- Scolytinae – bark beetles
- Xiphaspidinae (sometimes in Baridinae)
See alsoEdit
- Black vine weevil
- Boll weevil
- Pecan weevil
- Wheat weevil
- Hylobius
- Orthorhinus cylindrirostris
- Premnotrypes
- Scolytoplatypus
- Pests and diseases of roses
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
Template:Coleoptera Template:Taxonbar Template:Authority control