Curculionidae is the family of the "true" weevils (or "snout beetles"). In 1998 it was recognized as the largest animal family, with over 40,000 species described worldwide at that time.^[1] Today, it is still one of the largest known.

It also includes the bark beetles as subfamily Scolytinae nowadays; these are heavily modified in shape in accordance with their wood-boring lifestyle, and do not resemble other weevils much. They were thus traditionally considered a distinct family Scolytidae. But as it turned out, they are in fact more closely related to certain lineages of true weevils than these are to other true weevils. Likewise, it includes the ambrosia beetles, of which the present-day subfamily Platypodinae was formerly considered a distinct family Platypodidae.

Description

They are recognized by their distinctive long snout and geniculate antennae with small clubs; beyond that, curculionids have considerable diversity of form and size, with adult lengths ranging from 1 to 40 millimetres (0.04 to 1.57 in).

Weevils are almost entirely plant feeders, and most species are associated with a narrow range of hosts, in many cases only living on a single species. With so many species to classify and over 400 genera, the taxonomy of this family is quite complicated, and authors disagree on the number and placement of various subfamilies, tribes and subtribes.

The word "weevil" has been made famous by the boll weevil, which lays its eggs and feeds inside cotton bolls, ruining the crop.

Phylogeny and systematics

The phylogeny of the group is complex; with 40,000 species there is a spirited debate about the relationships between subfamilies and genera. A 1997 analysis attempted to construct a phylogeny based mainly on larval characteristics.^[2]

Almost two dozen subfamilies are recognized by some authors even when merging those that are certainly invalid. Others, however, recognize a lesser namber – 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 each usually recognize again as many additional subfamilies, but there is little agreement between authorities about which ones of those below these are. In particular the delimitation of the Molytinae has proven difficult.

The subfamilies considered valid by at least some authors today:

• Bagoinae (sometimes in Molytinae)
• Baridinae
• Brachycerinae (disputed)
• Ceutorhynchinae (sometimes in Baridinae, Curculioninae or Molytinae)
• Conoderinae (sometimes in Baridinae)
• Cossoninae
• Cryptorhynchinae (sometimes in Curculioninae)
• Curculioninae – flower weevils, acorn and nut weevils
• Cyclominae
• Dryophthorinae (disputed)
• Entiminae – broad-nosed weevils
• Erirhininae (sometimes in Brachycerinae)
• Gonipterinae (sometimes in Curculioninae)
• Hyperinae (sometimes in Molytinae)
• Leptoniinae^{[verification needed]} (disputed)
• Lixinae (sometimes in Molytinae)
• Mesoptiliinae (sometimes in Molytinae)
• Molytinae
• Orobitidinae (sometimes in Baridinae)
• Platypodinae – typical ambrosia beetles
• Raymondionyminae (sometimes in Brachycerinae)
• Scolytinae – bark beetles
• Xiphaspidinae (sometimes in Baridinae)

See also

	Insects portal
	Arthropods portal

• Black vine weevil
• Boll weevil
• Pecan weevil
• Wheat weevil
• Hylobius
• Pests and diseases of roses
• Rhinomacer

References

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Acalles is a genus of beetles in the Curculionidae family. Beetles of this genus can be found in southeastern North America living among leaf litter or dead branches and vines.^[1] There are 473 species in the Acalles genus.^[2]

References

Wikispecies has information related to: Acalles

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