Revision of the New World cycad weevils of the subtribe Allocorynina, with description of two new genera and three new subgenera (Coleoptera: Belidae: Oxycoryninae).

The taxonomy of the weevils inhabiting male cycad cones in the New World is reviewed. All species belong in a single subtribe, Allocorynina, of the family Belidae, subfamily Oxycoryninae and tribe Oxycorynini and are known to develop only in cones of the cycad genera Dioon and Zamia. Most species of Rhopalotria Chevrolat develop in male cones of Zamia ranging from Mexico, Belize, the Caribbean (Cuba, Isle of Youth, Cayman Islands, Jamaica and the Bahamas) to southern Florida, and one species in those of Dioon spinulosum in Mexico. Rhopalotria consists of three previously described species, two previously described genus-group names (treated herein as subgenera) and four new species described herein: subgenus Allocorynus Sharp with R. calonjei n. sp., R. furfuracea n. sp., R. mollis (Sharp) and R. vovidesi n. sp., and the nominate subgenus Rhopalotria with R. dimidiata Chevrolat, R. meerowi n. sp. and R. slossoni (Schaeffer). The species of Parallocorynus Voss develop only in cones of Dioon in Mexico, and the genus consists of one previously described species, the nominate subgenus and three new subgenera and 11 new species described herein: subgenus Dysicorynus n. subg. with P. andrewsi n. sp. and P. sonorensis n. sp., subgenus Eocorynus n. subg. with P. chemnicki n. sp. and P. schiblii n. sp., subgenus Neocorynus n. subg. with P. iglesiasi n. sp. and P. inexpectatus n. sp., and the nominate subgenus Parallocorynus with P. bicolor (Voss), P. gregoryi n. sp., P. jonesi n. sp., P. norstogi n. sp., P. perezfarrerai n. sp. and P. salasae n. sp. Two new genera are described, Protocorynus with one new species in Honduras, P. bontai, and Notorhopalotria with four new species ranging from Costa Rica to Colombia, N. montgomeryensis, N. panamensis, N. platysoma and N. taylori. Keys to genera, subgenera and species are provided. All of these weevils are believed to be involved in pollination of their host cycads.

Occurrence of Trichosirocalus horridus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on native Cirsium altissimum versus exotic C. vulgare in North American tallgrass prairie.

Postrelease studies can provide data with which to evaluate expectations based on prerelease tests of biological control insects. In 2004, we observed Trichosirocalus horridus Panzer (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), the rosette weevil introduced into North America against Eurasian thistles, feeding on native tall thistle, Cirsium altissimum L. Spreng., in tallgrass prairie. In this study, we examined the rosette weevil's use of tall thistle, compared with its use of the co-occurring exotic bull thistle, C. vulgare (Savi) Tenore. For both thistle species, we quantified weevil frequency, abundance, and seasonal variation in incidence, using both timed observations at two sites over two growing seasons (2004, 2005) and dissections of thistle flowering shoots from 13 sites (2005). Based on prerelease information, we expected the Eurasian thistle to be the quantitatively preferred host plant for this Eurasian weevil. Instead, we found that both the frequency of infestation and the mean number of adult rosette weevils per plant were at least as high, and sometimes higher, on the native thistle as on the exotic thistle. Furthermore, adult weevil phenology coincided on the two host species. This study provides new quantitative evidence of nontarget feeding by another weevil released for thistle biological control; and it raises important questions for further research. We conclude that continued new releases, as well as augmentation of existing populations, of T. horridus should wait until more research is done on the impact of the nontarget occurrence now reported for this biological control insect.

On the West Indian weevil genus Lachnopus Schönherr, 1840 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae): descriptions of six new species, a proposal for species-groups, and an annotated checklist.

We here describe and illustrate six new species of the genus Lachnopus, the most taxonomically chaotic group of entimines in the Caribbean region. These species are Lachnopus cozumelus Girón O'Brien, sp. nov. from Cozumel Island, Mexico, Lachnopus karphos Girón O'Brien, sp. nov. from Mayaguana Island in the Bahamas, Lachnopus lucayanus Girón O'Brien, sp. nov. from Eleuthera in the Bahamas and Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Lachnopus petilusquamus Girón O'Brien, sp. nov. from Eleuthera in the Bahamas, Lachnopus rhabdotus Girón O'Brien, sp. nov. from Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands and Lachnopus vanessablockae Girón O'Brien, sp. nov. from the Cayman Islands. These constitute the first species of the genus described for each island group, and expand the geographical range of the genus, by including the Lucayan Archipelago, the Cayman Islands and Cozumel Island. Individuals of L. vanessablockae have been collected on the Cayman endemic banana orchid (Myrmecophila thomsoniana (Orchidaceae)), which represents the first reported occurrence of Lachnopus weevils as pollinators. In addition, we present an annotated checklist of the species of Lachnopus, including collecting localities, host plants, and biological notes obtained from the literature or collection data from labels of collections' specimens. Lachnopus coffeae Marshall, 1922 is recorded for the first time for Grand Bahama, which appears to be an introduction associated with citrus from Puerto Rico. We also list the fossil species attributed to the genus. Comments on some morphological characters and their variation across the genus are included. Species-groups within the genus are proposed, including diagnostic features to recognize them. Some taxonomic conflicts found in collections are pointed out. This paper compiles fundamental information, and assembles a framework for future revisionary work on Lachnopus.

Review of the genus Miloderes Casey, 1888 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae), with desciptions of three new species.

The genus Miloderes Casey, 1888 is reviewed and three new species are described. The genus now has eight valid species: M. amargosensis sp. nov., M. mercuryensis Tanner, M. nelsoni Kissinger, M. panamintensis sp. nov., M. setosus Casey, M. tingi Tanner, M. ubehebensis sp. nov. and M. viridis Pierce. Miloderes allredi Tanner, 1974 is a new junior synonym of M. viridis Pierce, 1910. The relationships of the species are discussed based on morphological characters from external morphology as well as from the endophallus. A key to species is provided.

Molecular and morphological phylogenetics of weevils (coleoptera, curculionoidea): do niche shifts accompany diversification?

The main goals of this study were to provide a robust phylogeny for the families of the superfamily Curculionoidea, to discover relationships and major natural groups within the family Curculionidae, and to clarify the evolution of larval habits and host-plant associations in weevils to analyze their role in weevil diversification. Phylogenetic relationships among the weevils (Curculionoidea) were inferred from analysis of nucleotide sequences of 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA; approximately 2,000 bases) and 115 morphological characters of larval and adult stages. A worldwide sample of 100 species was compiled to maximize representation of weevil morphological and ecological diversity. All families and the main subfamilies of Curculionoidea were represented. The family Curculionidae sensu lato was represented by about 80 species in 30 "subfamilies" of traditional classifications. Phylogenetic reconstruction was accomplished by parsimony analysis of separate and combined molecular and morphological data matrices and Bayesian analysis of the molecular data; tree topology support was evaluated. Results of the combined analysis of 18S rDNA and morphological data indicate that monophyly of and relationships among each of the weevil families are well supported with the topology ((Nemonychidae, Anthribidae) (Belidae (Attelabidae (Caridae (Brentidae, Curculionidae))))). Within the clade Curculionidae sensu lato, the basal positions are occupied by mostly monocot-associated taxa with the primitive type of male genitalia followed by the Curculionidae sensu stricto, which is made up of groups with the derived type of male genitalia. High support values were found for the monophyly of some distinct curculionid groups such as Dryophthorinae (several tribes represented) and Platypodinae (Tesserocerini plus Platypodini), among others. However, the subfamilial relationships in Curculionidae are unresolved or weakly supported. The phylogeny estimate based on combined 18S rDNA and morphological data suggests that diversification in weevils was accompanied by niche shifts in host-plant associations and larval habits. Pronounced conservatism is evident in larval feeding habits, particularly in the host tissue consumed. Multiple shifts to use of angiosperms in Curculionoidea were identified, each time associated with increases in weevil diversity and subsequent shifts back to gymnosperms, particularly in the Curculionidae.