Cylindrocopturus adspersus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Coleoptera |
Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
Family: | Curculionidae |
Genus: | Cylindrocopturus |
Species: | C. adspersus |
Binomial name | |
Cylindrocopturus adspersus (LeConte, 1876) | |
Synonyms [1] | |
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Cylindrocopturus adspersus, the sunflower stem weevil, is a species of true weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. [1] [2] It is found in North America, [1] where the larvae tunnel in the stems of wild and cultivated sunflower plants.
The adult sunflower stem weevil is about 5 mm (0.2 in) long and a grayish-brown color with irregular whitish markings. The larva is creamy white with a brown head. [3]
The adults emerge from their over-wintering chamber in old sunflower stumps in May or June and feeds on sunflower leaves, doing no significant damage. When ready to breed, the female chews a hole in the base of a sunflower stem and inserts a single egg, protecting it with frass. The larva feeds inside the stem and when fully developed descends to the base of the plant and hollows out a chamber in the woody tissue. It is this excavation that weakens the stem. [3]
The main parasitoid of the larva of the sunflower stem weevil is Nealiolus curculionis , a braconid wasp. The female of this wasp lays an egg inside the first instar larva of the sunflower stem weevil, and when that larva enters diapause in the fall, in a chamber near the base of the plant, the wasp larva also goes into hibernation. Both larvae resume activity in the spring, and about twenty days later, the wasp larva exits the weevil larva, feeds on its carcass, and pupates. The adult wasp emerges about ten days later, both insects having a single generation each year. [4]
The sunflower is an important oil-producing crop in North America, and is also native to the continent. By excavating through the woody tissues, the larvae of the sunflower stem weevil makes the crop more susceptible to lodging in strong winds before the crop is harvested. [4] Where this weevil is present in association with the pathogenic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina , the stems may develop black streaking and the crop may be affected by a Fusarium solani collar rot. [5]
Lixus concavus, commonly called the rhubarb curculio, is a species of weevil. Rhubarb is a host, together with dock, sunflower, and thistle.
Smicronyx fulvus, commonly known as the red sunflower seed weevil, is a weevil in the family Curculionidae.
Hypera postica, commonly known as the alfalfa weevil, is a species of beetle in the superfamily Curculionoidea; it can be found in alfalfa fields throughout Europe. Considered a destructive threat to alfalfa production in North America, several accidental introductions have been successfully countered though the use of a variety of biological control species.
Trichobaris trinotata, commonly known as the "Potato stalk borer", is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae. It is found in North America where it is a pest of potato plants, the larvae tunnelling inside their stems.
Haplorhynchites aeneus, known generally as the head-clipping weevil or sunflower headclipping weevil, is a species of leaf rolling weevil in the beetle family Attelabidae. It is found in North America.
Rhynchus is a genus of hidden snout weevils in the family of beetles known as Curculionidae. There is at least one described species in Rhynchus, R. apiculatus.
Xyloterinus is a genus of typical bark beetles in the family Curculionidae. This is a monotypic genus and the one described species is Xyloterinus politus. It is native to North America where it infests both hardwood and softwood trees, as well as stacks of logs.
Curculio sayi, the small chestnut weevil, is a species of true weevil in the family of beetles known as Curculionidae. It is found in North America.The distribution of this species extends from Canada and Massachusetts to North Carolina, Tennessee, and Ohio, and probably farther westward. The average length of the body is about 1/4" (6mm).
Homoeolabus analis, known generally as the leaf-rolling weevil or oak leaf rolling weevil, is a species of leaf-rolling weevil in the family of beetles known as Attelabidae. It is found in North America. It is often preyed upon by the obligate egg predator and nest thief Thief Weevil.
Conotrachelus adspersus is a species of true weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae.
Anthonomus aeneolus is a species of true weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. It is found in North America. It normally develops within the flower buds of Solanum flowers, although eggs can be laid within galls on the plant. Larvae feed on the anthers of the flowers.
Pissodes nemorensis, known generally as the eastern pine weevil or deodar weevil, is a species of true weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. It is found in North America and Africa. Deodar weevils are considered a forest pest in the United States, with adults and larvae feeding on a variety of coniferous tree species, including trees such as deodar cedar, loblolly pine, longleaf pine, sand pine, shortleaf pine, slash pine, and spruce pine Trees of all ages are susceptible to weevil infestations, while trees that are severely stressed by fire, drought, extreme cold, fusiform rust, wind damage, and other problems are prone to weevil infestation. In well-managed pine stands, deodar weevil infestations are sporadic, attacking only the suppressed and unhealthy trees throughout the area. Because they do not typically effect healthy trees, they do not usually alter traditional management strategies. Unlike many other forest pests in the eastern United States, deodar weevils are most active in the winter months, and this is often when sign of infestations can be seen. The best way to avoid a deodar weevil infestation is to maintain good tree and stand health: healthy trees do not typically face mortality or extensive damage from these pests. If an infestation has occurred, pesticides can be used in the fall as the weevils become active, but are typically not recommended.
Listronotus oregonensis, the carrot weevil, is a species of weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. It is found in North America.
Peltophorus is a genus of twig and stem weevils in the beetle family Curculionidae. There are at least two described species in Peltophorus.
Cylindrocopturus mediinotus is a species of true weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. It is found in North America.
Peltophorus polymitus is a species of true weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. It is found in North America. Both adults and larvae are pests of agave plants, feeding on leaves and needles.
Cylindrocopturus nanulus is a species of true weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. It is found in North America.
Neoptochus is a genus of oriental broad-nosed weevils in the beetle family Curculionidae. There is at least one described species in Neoptochus, N. adspersus.
Cylindrocopturus mammillatus is a species of true weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. It is found in North America.
Nealiolus curculionis is a species of parasitic wasp in the family Braconidae. It is a parasitoid of the sunflower stem weevil Cylindrocopturus adspersus, and a number of other species of stem-boring weevils.