Brentus anchorago

Brentus anchorago
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Polyphaga
Infraorder:	Cucujiformia
Family:	Brentidae
Genus:	Brentus
Species:	B. anchorago
Binomial name
Brentus anchorago (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms [1]
Brenthus lucanusHorn, 1872 Brentus anchorago subsp. severaSenna, 1890 Brentus canaliculatusOlivier, 1790 Brentus peregrinusHerbst, 1797 Curculio anchoragoLinnaeus, 1758 Curculio hastilePallas, 1781 Curculio longicollisDe Geer, 1775

Brentus anchorago is a long-snouted weevil, from the family Brentidae. It is found from southern Florida to South America. ^{[2] [3]}

Description

Brentus anchorago is 15 to 52 mm in length. The adult is black in color, with longitudinal yellow marking on the elytra. ^[4] It has serrate, non-geniculate (elbowed) antennae. The species exhibits significant sexual dimorphism; the males are much thinner than the females.

Distribution and habitat

This widespread neotropical species is known from Mexico, the West Indies and South America. In the U.S. it occurs in Dade and Monroe counties in Florida. ^[4]

It seems to be associated with the gumbo-limbo tree (Bursera simaruba), throughout its distribution. Larvae bore in dead trees, and the adults can sometimes be found in large numbers under the bark of dead logs. ^[4]

References

1. "Brentus anchorago". Global Biodiversity Information Facility . Retrieved 30 May 2021.
2. Craighead, Frank C. (1950). Insect enemies of eastern forests. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. p. 280 – via Biodiversity Library.
3. Duncan, James; Jardine, William (1852). Beetles. Edinburgh: W.H. Lizars. p. 235. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.122853.
4. Thomas, Michael C. (2016). "Primitive Weevils of Florida (Insecta: Coleoptera: Brentidae: Brentinae)" (PDF). Gainesville, Florida: Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Extension Service, University of Florida. Retrieved 28 March 2021.