Naupactus leucoloma

Last updated

Naupactus leucoloma
Naupactus leucoloma (16713338975).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Infraorder: Cucujiformia
Family: Curculionidae
Genus: Naupactus
Species:
N. leucoloma
Binomial name
Naupactus leucoloma
Boh. in Schoenh., 1840

Naupactus leucoloma is a species of broad-nosed weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

White-fringed Weevil - Naupactus leucoloma, Meadowood Farm SRMA, Mason Neck, Virginia - 29541019041.jpg

Description

The adult of Naupactus leucoloma is dark grey in colour with two lighter-coloured bands running longitudinally down its thorax and head. They are between 8-12mm long, and 4mm wide at the abdomen. [5] The body of N. leucoloma is covered with hairs that are longer on the forewing. Wings of N. leucoloma vary greatly in size between individual specimens, but the forewings are fused, thus making the adults unable to fly. [5] Males are not known to exist with N. leucoloma outside of their native range, [6] and all individuals are females in the naturalised range. Reproduction is through parthenogenesis. [7] [5] Males of N. leucoloma are rare and only occur in the native range of South America, but also may be extinct. [6]

The larvae of N. leucoloma are about 12mm long, and occur in the soil. They have no legs similar to other species of weevils, their heads are partially retracted into the thorax, and they are yellowish white in colour, with black mandibles protruding from the head. [8]

Distribution

Naupactus leucoloma is native to much of Argentina, from the Jujay and Salta provinces northwest, right down to the southeast in the Chubut province. It is also native to Uruguay and southern Brazil. [9] Outside the native range, N. leucoloma has also been introduced through anthropological means to the United States, South Africa, Chile, Peru, Australia and New Zealand where it is well established [10] [9] [11]

New Zealand Distribution

Naupactus leucoloma was first found in New Zealand in 1944 and is now well established through most of the North Island. [12] It has since been recorded in several parts of the South Island as well, including Nelson, Blenheim, Christchurch and Ashburton. [12]

Habitat Preferences

Naupactus leucoloma is a pest in its non-native range and feeds on 385 different plant species including beans, clover, potatoes and many more. [13] The larval stage of N. leucoloma feeds on the roots of the host plants; this is where most of the damage occurs to the plants. The adult stages feed on the leaves so in their non-native range are found in pastures. [5] In their native range, they occupy fertile plains in a temperate climate, where the main vegetation and habitat type is grass prairies and grass steppes with little to no native trees. [9]

Phenology

Naupactus leucoloma are all female outside their native range so reproduction happens through parthenogenesis. [5] [7] Eggs are laid in clusters on the ground around cover objects at the contact point with the soil. When soil penetration is easy then eggs are deposited directly into the soil; 15 to 25 are usually laid, but as many as 60 have been recorded from a single deposition. [5] Eggs kept for study by Young & App, [5] had an average incubation period of 14.7 days for eggs laid between July 21 and August 29. Some eggs deposited in later months had an average incubation period of 62.4 days, but eggs laid too late in the summer will overwinter, and hatch the following year. The larval stage lasts roughly 10 to 17 months, during which the larvae pass through four or possibly five instar larval stages prior to pupating. [14] [5] Larvae first hatch in New Zealand in May, indicating that moist conditions are necessary for hatching, and in August in North America. [14] [5] Studies have shown that temperature played a large role in the time it takes for adults to emerge from pupation, with pupae produced during warmer months taking 14 days, and colder months taking up to 30 days for adults to emerge. [10]

In New Zealand, adults appear in December and are active until April. During the months of its adult stage, a single N. leucoloma can lay hundreds of eggs. [14] In North America, adults emerge from pupation from May to October, with emergence being dependent on soil moisture. [5] Adults are alive and active for up to three months. [14]

Diet

The larval stage of Naupactus leucoloma has the most potential for significant damage to crops with young plants quite often being killed as a result of the damage, and adult plants surviving but often with a large yield loss. This is a result of the larvae feeding on and causing significant damage to the root systems. [10] N. leucoloma larvae are great generalists and have been observed feeding on 385 different plant species. Some of these species include alfalfa, beans, brassicas, carrots, clover, onions and potatoes. [13] Adults of this species feed on the leaves of a large diversity of plants; this herbivory, however, causes less damage and is not usually of as much significance as the larval stage, but can still cause significant damage if the numbers are high enough. [13] [5]

Predators, Parasites and Diseases

Some invertebrate species are known to predate upon N. leucoloma in its native range, including multiple carabid beetle species, and in laboratory experiments, a mite (Histiostoma feroniarum) caused a significant amount of mortality in the larval stage. [15] The South American bird species Milvago chimango chimango and Belonpterus chilensis chilensis have both been recorded as eating Naupactus leucoloma and may be effective as a control agent in its native range. [16] No parasites or diseases have been found to occur on populations of N. leucoloma in the introduced population in New Zealand. [17] House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) have been observed eating Naupactus leucoloma in New Zealand. [18]

Other Information

When fed on blackberry foliage, adult N. leucoloma laid an average of 538.2 eggs, and when fed peanut foliage, the average number of eggs laid was 1,531.7. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curculionidae</span> Family of beetles

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 species described worldwide. They are the sister group to the family Brentidae.

<i>Hylobius abietis</i> Species of beetle

Hylobius abietis or the large pine weevil is a beetle belonging to family Curculionidae. This species is widely regarded as the most important pest of most commercially important coniferous trees in European plantations. Seedlings planted or arising from natural regeneration after clear felling operations are especially at risk. The adult weevils cause damage by eating the bark of seedlings around the 'collar' of the stem, thus 'ring-barking' the tree seedling which usually results in its demise.

<i>Curculio nucum</i> Species of beetle

Curculio nucum, the nut weevil, is a medium-sized beetle, with an especially elongated snout, characteristic of the Curculionini tribe of the weevil family (Curculionidae). Its larvae develop in hazel nuts Corylus avellana, being a serious pest in hazelnut orchards. It occurs in most of Europe, from south Sweden, Finland and Great Britain to the Mediterranean.

<i>Anthonomus eugenii</i> Species of beetle

Anthonomus eugenii is known as the pepper weevil. This beetle feeds and lays eggs on plants in the genus Capsicum and a few species in the genus Solanum. A. eugenii is native to Mexico, however, it is an important pest of Capsicum in Florida, Puerto Rico, and Central America.

<i>Naupactus</i> (beetle) Genus of beetles

Naupactus is a genus of beetles in the weevil family Curculionidae, the true weevils. They are known commonly as whitefringed beetles. Many species of the genus are considered pests, both as larvae and as adults. The genus is native to the Americas, where it is distributed from Mexico to Argentina; the highest species diversity is in Brazil. Several species have been introduced to the United States and New Zealand.

<i>Hylobius transversovittatus</i> Species of beetle

Hylobius transversovittatus is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae. It is native to the Old World where both adults and larvae feed on purple loosestrife. This plant is regarded as an invasive species in North America and the weevil has been introduced into both the United States and Canada in an effort to control the plant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flax weevil</span> Species of weevil endemic to New Zealand

Anagotus fairburni or flax weevil is a large flightless weevil. It feeds on leaves of New Zealand flax species where it produces a characteristic feeding notch. It is found on islands and in alpine areas of New Zealand.

<i>Curculio elephas</i> Species of beetle

Curculio elephas is a species of beetle in the family Curculionidae, the true weevils. It is known commonly as the chestnut weevil. It is a serious pest of chestnut in Europe.

<i>Acanthoscelides obtectus</i> Species of beetle

Acanthoscelides obtectus, the bean weevil, is a species of bruchid beetle. The species was described in 1831 by Thomas Say.

<i>Pyronota festiva</i> Species of beetle

Pyronota festiva, commonly known as mānuka beetle or mānuka chafer, is a member of the genus Pyronota of the beetle family Scarabaeidae. It is a scarab beetle endemic to New Zealand, and is commonly found in mānuka trees, hence the beetle's name. In some areas it is considered a pasture pest.

<i>Listronotus bonariensis</i> Species of beetle

Listronotus bonariensis is a species of weevil that is native to South America and is commonly known as the Argentine stem weevil. It is a pest of grasses and cereals, with the larvae being more destructive than the adult insects. It has spread to Australia and New Zealand, where it is regarded as a pest species.

<i>Hypera postica</i> Species of beetle

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.

<i>Sitona lineatus</i> Species of beetle

Sitona lineatus, commonly known as the pea leaf weevil is a species of weevil with a Palearctic distribution. It is a common pest of beans, peas, and other plants in the family Fabaceae. Adult beetles of S. lineatus measure 3.4-5.3 mm in length. They are characterized by a series of colored scales arranged in alternating lines (striae) on the elytra; it is from this characteristic where the species gets its name lineatus meaning 'lined' or 'striped'. The head and pronotum also have fine pointed setae amongst the scales. The antennae are clubbed, pointed and preceded by 7 segments. The femora is dark, but tibiae and tarsi are red. As a member of Order Coleoptera (beetles) their forewings are modified to form hardened covers over the thorax and abdomen, with the hindwings for flight underneath.

<i>Ceutorhynchus obstrictus</i> Species of beetle

Ceutorhynchus obstrictus, the cabbage seedpod weevil, is a species of snout beetles or true weevils which is widespread in Europe and lives on several types of crucifers. The adult weevils feed on the leaves, but breed in the seedpods, where the larvae destroy the seeds. It can be a harmful pest on crops like rapeseed/canola, cabbage and relatives or Brassica rapa.

<i>Metamasius callizona</i> Species of beetle

Metamasius callizona, or the Mexican bromeliad weevil, is an invasive species in Florida, US that targets several species of bromeliad. This species is native to southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Panama, and was first documented in Florida in 1989.

<i>Curculio sayi</i> Species of beetle

Curculio sayi, the small or lesser chestnut weevil, is a species of true weevil in the family of beetles known as Curculionidae.

Listronotus oregonensis, the carrot weevil, is a species of weevil in the beetle family Curculionidae. It is found in North America.

<i>Cosmopolites sordidus</i> Species of beetle

Cosmopolites sordidus, commonly known as the banana root borer, banana borer, or banana weevil, is a species of weevil in the family Curculionidae. It is a pest of banana cultivation and has a cosmopolitan distribution, being found in all parts of the world in which bananas are grown. It is considered the most serious insect pest of bananas.

<i>Odoiporus longicollis</i> Species of beetle

Odoiporus longicollis, commonly known as banana stem weevil or banana pseudostem borer, is a species of weevil found in South Asia and South East Asia.

Euwallacea perbrevis, commonly known as tea shot-hole borer, is a species of weevil native to South and South-East Asia through to Australia, but introduced to Western countries.

References

  1. "Naupactus leucoloma species details". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 2018-04-06.
  2. "Naupactus leucoloma". GBIF. Retrieved 2018-04-06.
  3. "Naupactus leucoloma Species Information". BugGuide.net. Retrieved 2018-04-06.
  4. "Naupactus leucoloma Overview". Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 2018-04-06.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Young, H.C.; App, B.A. (1939). "Biology of the white-fringed beetle (Naupactus leucoloma)". United States Department of Agriculture Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine. E-464.
  6. 1 2 Rodriguero, M.S.; Guzmán, N.V.; Lanteri, A.A.; Confalonieri, V.A. (2019). "The effect of reproductive system on invasiveness: lessons from South American weevils". Florida Entomologist. 102 (3): 495–500. doi:10.1653/024.102.0309. hdl: 11336/151409 .
  7. 1 2 Tissot, A.N. (1938). "The gross anatomy of the digestive and reproductive systems of Naupactus leucoloma Boh. (Curculionidae, coleoptera)". The Florida Entomologist. 21 (2): 20–27. doi:10.2307/3492324. JSTOR   3492324.
  8. May, B.M. (1966). "Identification of the immature forms of some common soil-inhabiting weevils, with motes on their biology". New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research. 9 (2): 286–316. Bibcode:1966NZJAR...9..286M. doi:10.1080/00288233.1966.10420782.
  9. 1 2 3 Lanteri, A.A.; Guzman, N.V.; Del Rio, M.G.; Confalonieri, V.A. (2013). "Potential geographic distributions and successful invasions of parthenogentic broad-nosed weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) native to South America". Environmental Entomology. 42 (4): 677–687. doi:10.1603/EN12297. hdl: 11336/23222 . PMID   23905730.
  10. 1 2 3 de Jager, J.; Lategan, K.; van der Westhuzen, M.C. (1989). "Some aspects of the biology of the white-fringed beetle, Graphognathus luecoloma (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in the lower orange river irrigation area of South Africa". Phytophylactica. 21 (3): 259–264.
  11. Watson, J.R. (1937). "Naupactus leucoloma (Coleptera, Curculionidae): A pest new to the United States". The Florida Entomologist. 21 (2): 20–27.
  12. 1 2 Somerfield, K.G. (1977). "Insects of economic significance recently recorded in New Zealand". New Zealand Journal or Agricultural Research. 20 (3): 421–428. Bibcode:1977NZJAR..20..421S. doi:10.1080/00288233.1977.10427354.
  13. 1 2 3 Bragard, C.; Dehnen-Schmutz, K.; Serio, F.D.; Gonthier, P.; Jacques, M.A.; Josep Anton, J.M.; MacLeod, A. (2020). "Pest categorisation of Naupactus leucoloma". EFSA Journal. 18 (4): e06104. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6104. PMC   7448086 . PMID   32874305.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Todd, D.H. (1964). "Biology and control of the white-fringed weevil". Proceedings of the New Zealand Weed and Pest Control Conference. 17: 125–129. doi:10.30843/nzpp.1964.17.10306.
  15. Ahmad, R. (1974). "Investigations on the whitefringed weevils Naupactus durius (Boh.) and Pantomorous auripes (Hustache) and their natural enemies in Argentina". Technical Bulletin, Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control. 17: 37–51.
  16. Berry, P.A. (1947). "Investigations on the whitefringed beetle group in South America". Journal of Economic Entomology. 62 (5): 705–709. doi:10.1093/jee/40.5.705. PMID   20271904.
  17. Hardwick, S (1999). "Phenology and damage potential of whitefringed weevil (Naupactus leucoloma Boheman) in the northern North Island of New Zealand (Doctoral dissertation, Lincoln University)". Lincoln University.
  18. MacMillan, B.W.H.; Pollock, B.J. (1985). "Food of nestling house sparrows (Passer domesticus) in mixed farmland of Hawke's Bay, New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 12 (3): 307–317. doi:10.1080/03014223.1985.10428284.

Further reading