Larinus is a genus of true weevils, comprising about 180 species, mostly in the Palaearctic region[1][2] with some species introduced to North America.[3] Turkey appears to have a significant diversity of the group, with more than 50 species recorded in the eastern part of the country.[1]

Larinus
Larinus sturnus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Curculionidae
Subfamily: Lixinae
Tribe: Lixini
Genus: Larinus
Dejean, 1821
Species

180+, see text

Larinus turbinatus
Larinus turbinatus
Canada Thistle Bud Weevils (Subgenus Phyllonomeus) Mating
Canada thistle bud weevils (subgenus Phyllonomeus) mating

Several of these beetles are used as agents of biological pest control against noxious weeds. They feed on flower heads, destroying the developing seeds of the weeds.

Description

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In simple terms, Larinus are black weevils with stocky bodies. They are rounded and slightly oblate dorsoventrally. They are covered in sparse hairs.[4]

According to a more detailed description, Larinus are stocky in shape unlike the related genus Lixus. The rostrum is almost always shorter than the pronotum or as long as the pronotum. There are antennal furrows on the rostrum and these do not extend forward to the tip. The eyes are flat or slightly bulging. The pronotum is always transverse and strongly narrowed towards the front. On the sides of the pronotum are light gray or yellowish hairs. The elytra are short, usually about 1.5 times as long as their total width. The apices of the elytra are rounded together. In fresh specimens, the elytra are mottled with irregular patches of pale hairs. The legs are short and robust.[5]

Ecology

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Larvae of Larinus live in flower heads of plants in the family Asteraceae. They consume ovarioles, achenes and receptacle tissue. They also pupate in flower heads. Adults feed on leaves, stems, flowers, buds, peduncles and possibly pollen of their host plants.[3]

Species

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These species belong to the genus Larinus:

Data sources: i = ITIS,[6] g = GBIF,[7] b = Bugguide.net[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b L. Gültekin (2006). "A new weevil species Larinus araxicola sp. n. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Lixinae) from northeastern Turkey with biological notes" (PDF). Proceedings of the Russian Entomological Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-10-31.
  2. ^ Hoffman, A. 1954. Faune de France. 59, Coléoptères Curculionidés. Part 2. P. Lechavalier, Paris.
  3. ^ a b Hoebeke, E. Richard; Spichiger, Sven-Erik (2016-05-24). "Larinus turbinatus Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Lixinae), a Eurasian Weevil New to North America with a Summary of Other Adventive Larinus in North America and a Key to Species". Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. 118 (2): 261. doi:10.4289/0013-8797.118.2.261. ISSN 0013-8797.
  4. ^ a b "Larinus Genus Information". BugGuide.net. Retrieved 2018-05-12.
  5. ^ Lompe, Dr Arved (2011-05-26). "Larinus". coleonet.de (in German). Retrieved 2023-11-10.
  6. ^ "Larinus Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2018-05-12.
  7. ^ "Larinus". GBIF. Retrieved 2018-05-12.