Review of the genera of Conoderinae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean

Abstract

The thirty-nine extant genera of Conoderinae known to occur in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean are reviewed based on external morphology. An identification key is provided along with diagnoses, distributions, species counts, and natural history information, when known, for each genus. Morphological character systems of importance for weevil classification are surveyed, potential relationships among the tribes and genera are discussed, and groups most in need of taxonomic and phylogenetic attention are identified. The following genera are transferred to new tribes: Acoptus LeConte, 1876 from the Lechriopini to the Othippiini (new placement) and the South American genus Hedycera Pascoe, 1870 from the Lechriopini to the Piazurini (new placement). Philides Champion, 1906 and Philinna Champion, 1906 are transferred from the Lechriopini to Conoderinae incertae sedis (new placement) although their placement as conoderines is uncertain. The species Copturomimus cinereus Heller, 1895 is designated as the type species of the genus Copturomimus Heller, 1895.

A Review of Philenis Champion, 1906 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Conoderinae), with Descriptions of New Species from Central and South America

“…Discussion: This is the species figured in Anzaldo's review [4] as Philenis flavipes. The two species are similar, but differ most obviously in the color and pattern of scales on the elytra.…”

“…Specimens vary only slightly in size (5.15-5.30 mm, x = 5.24, N = 6). The images in Anzaldo s work [4] attributed to P. flavipes are those of the next species. Figure 2 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:C4BC5B10-3C30-4A48-A84C-36BAC36A78F1…”

“…Derivation of name: This species is named in honor of Salvatore Anzaldo for his review [4] of the conoderine genera of North and Central America.…”

“…Metafemora with strong acute tooth at distal 2/3, mesofemora with small, distinct tooth at distal 3/5, profemora angulate at middle. Derivation of name: This species is named for its coloration, which is typical of conoderines in the putative fly mimicry complex [5,7] and is probably the same species mentioned by Anzaldo [4] as undescribed.…”

“…The Arthropods of La Selva (ALAS) project collected at least 131 specimens of nine species at the La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica [3] and on an altitudinal transect above La Selva and has stimulated this review. Anzaldo [4] mentions undescribed species in his review of conoderine genera. I have previously suggested [5] that some species in the genus may participate in mimicry complexes and reported a record of larval ecology.…”