Hadramphus pittospori

Hadramphus pittospori
Conservation status
Naturally Uncommon (NZ TCS)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Polyphaga
Infraorder:	Cucujiformia
Family:	Curculionidae
Genus:	Hadramphus
Species:	H. pittospori
Binomial name
Hadramphus pittospori Kuschel, 1987

Hadramphus pittospori is a species of large molytine weevil in the family Curculionidae . ^[1] It is endemic to the Poor Knights Islands of New Zealand. ^{[1] [2]} Under the New Zealand Threat Classification System, this species is listed as "Naturally Uncommon" with the qualifiers of "Island Endemic" and "Range Restricted". ^[3]

Taxonomy

This species was first described by Guillermo Kuschel as Karocolens pittospori in 1987. ^{[4] [2]} In 1999 it was redescribed by Robin Charles Craw and moved to genus Hadramphus . ^[5]

The holotype specimen was found in the Poor Knights Islands and is stored in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection. ^{[2] [5]}

Description

Both larvae and adults of Hadramphus pittospori are flightless and brown in colour. ^{[1] [6]} Adults are unusually long-lived for weevils and can survive for over 3 years when raised in captivity. ^{[2] [6]} They can reach lengths of 16.5-19.7 mm. ^[5] The larvae can get up to 22 mm long. ^[1] Larvae development consists of six instars, unlike most weevil species which have only three. ^[6]

Behaviour

The host plant of this species is karo ( Pittosporum crassifolium). ^{[2] [5]} These weevils are likely nocturnal, based on field observations. ^[6] The adults are active at night and are notably slow-moving in dark and cool environments, but appear to actively avoid direct hot sunlight. ^[6]

Distribution

Hadramphus pittospori is only found in the Poor Knights Islands of New Zealand. ^{[2] [5]}

References

1. May, Brenda M. (1987-01-01). "Immature stages of Curculionidae (Coleoptera): the larva and pupa of Karocolens pittospori (Molytinae)" . New Zealand Entomologist. 9 (1): 29–34. doi:10.1080/00779962.1987.9722489. ISSN   0077-9962.
2. Kuschel, G. (1987-01-01). "The subfamily Molytinae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae): General notes and descriptions of new taxa from New Zealand and Chile" . New Zealand Entomologist. 9 (1): 11–29. doi:10.1080/00779962.1987.9722488. ISSN   0077-9962.
3. Leschen, R. A.B.; Marris, J. W.M.; Emberson, R. M.; Nunn, J.; Hitchmough, R. A.; Stringer, I. A.N. (2012-07-01). "The conservation status of New Zealand Coleoptera" . New Zealand Entomologist. 35 (2): 91–98. doi:10.1080/00779962.2012.686311. ISSN   0077-9962.
4. "NZOR Name Details - Hadramphus pittospori (Kuschel, 1987)". www.nzor.org.nz. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
5. Craw, Robin C. (1999). Molytini: Insecta: Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytinae. Fauna of New Zealand. Lincoln: Manaaki Whenua Press. ISBN   978-0-478-09325-4.
6. Bennett, Beverley G. (1987-01-01). "Observations on rearing Karocolens pittospori (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytinae)" . New Zealand Entomologist. 9 (1): 34–37. doi:10.1080/00779962.1987.9722490. ISSN   0077-9962.