True Weevils

Family Curculionidae

Classification

KINGDOM

:

Animalia

PHYLUM

:

Arthropoda

CLASS

:

Insecta

ORDER

:

Coleoptera

FAMILY

:

Curculionidae

GENUS

:

SPECIES

:

Curculionidae, commonly known as weevils, is one of the largest families of beetles, encompassing over 60,000 species found worldwide. Characterized by their distinctive elongated snouts and often clubbed antennae, weevils are primarily known for their role as pests in agriculture, feeding on a vast array of crops and stored dry foods. Their bodies are typically small to medium-sized and can range from drab browns to bright colors, often with robust, compact shapes adapted for burrowing into plant tissues. The life cycle of weevils involves complete metamorphosis, allowing larvae typically to develop inside plant tissues, providing protection and food. As both adults and larvae, weevils can cause significant damage to plants, making them a major focus for pest control strategies in various agricultural settings. Their ecological roles are complex, influencing both natural and managed ecosystems through their interactions with plant communities.

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