Curculionidae-Entiminae.Beetle-News
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1 Beginner’s Guide : The majority of the species are terrestrial and are very Broad-nosed weevils (Curculionidae, Entiminae) rarely met with above ground level. However, a small commonly found on broad-leaved trees. number of species are among the most abundant beetles Richard Wright on trees and shrubs, especially in May and June. This guide therefore introduces these species which are among the beetles which the beginner is most likely to meet with There are 111 species of the subfamily Entiminae in the in numbers. It should only be used for species found on family Curculionidae on the British list. All species have broad-leaved trees, not for those swept from low a short broad rostrum and are commonly called broad- vegetation or from conifers. nosed weevils. With the exception of a few recent discoveries, these species are very well covered by Morris Reference: (1997). However, for the beginner this work may prove Morris, M.G. 1997. Broad-nosed weevils. Coleoptera: difficult to begin with as microscopic characters such as Curculionidae (Entiminae). Handbooks for the whether the tarsal claws are united at the base are used to Identification of British Insects 5(17a), define the tribes at the very beginning of the work. Phyllobius argentatus Phyllobius maculicornis Common throughout, mainly woodland Locally common, scarce in Scotland Phyllobius glaucus ! Anterior femora with large teeth Similar to P. argentatus but : Local throughout, mainly woodland. ! Upperside with round scales, more or ! Striae of elytra clearly visible, not ! Anterior femora with large teeth less covering the striae covered by scales ! Upperside covered with elongate scales, ! Antennae, about 2/3 length of weevil, ! Antennae about ½ length of weevil, colour rather variable, often in patches yellowish, apex of scape not darkened yellowish, but apex of scape ! Antennae yellowish, darker apically ! Femora dark or light darkened ! Legs usually mainly yellowish-brown ! Femora always dark Polydrusus pterygomalis Common Polydrusus formosus ! Anterior femora without teeth Previously scarce, now spreading ! Upperside with round scales and with pale semi-erect ! Anterior femora without, or with very small, setae (view from side) teeth Head with a bulge behind the eyes ! Upperside with round bright metallic green ! Antennae slender, yellowish scales ! Antennae yellowish, with dark club P. flavipes is scarcer, very similar but : ! Head with a short, deep longitudinal groove ! Head without a bulge behind the eyes between the eyes ! Semi-erect setae of elytra are dark 10 Phyllobius pyri Phyllobius oblongus Phyllobius viridicollis Very common Locally common Widespread, but generally scarce ! Anterior femora with teeth ! Upperside without scales, only with fine, ! Upperside dark, without covering of ! Upperside with scattered elongate scales, sparse, pale setae scales, only with a few scattered fine usually brownish or coppery, sometimes ! Pronotum dark, elytra reddish-brown greenish scales in parts greyish or greenish ! Antennae yellowish ! Antennae yellowish, darker apically ! Antennae yellowish, darker apically ! Legs yellowish ! All tibiae with a sharp, blade-like external edge Polydrusus cervinus Polydrusus tereticollis Polydrusus mollis Very common Quite common throughout Widespread in England and Wales, but scattered and local ! Anterior femora with teeth ! Anterior femora without teeth ! Upperside with elongate scales, brownish ! Upperside with a distinct pattern of lighter ! Anterior femora without teeth or coppery, in patches and darker brown and pale scales as shown ! Upperside with coppery scales, ! Antennae yellowish, darker apically occasionally greenish ! Legs generally dark ! Elytra very large and wide, much larger in proportion to pronotum than in any P.pilosus is a very similar species, much other species. scarcer and mainly northern. It is beyond the scope of this account to cover the differences between the species. 11 Polydrusus marginatus Strophosoma melanogrammum Strophosoma capitatum Scarce, southern England Very common throughout Sometimes common but scarce in places ! Anterior femora with teeth ! Eyes strongly projecting, conical ! Eyes strongly projecting, conical ! Elytra with fine pubescence, denser along ! Upperside with brownish or coppery scales ! Similar to S. melanogrammum but suture, without metallic scales but with a longitudinal bare patch along the without a longitudinal bare patch ! Antennae yellowish, rather short suture along the suture, sometimes with a small bare patch at the base Otiorhynchus singularis Otiorhynchus clavipes Otiorhynchus sulcatus Very common throughout Local, mainly southern England Very common throughout (usually terrestrial, occasional on trees) ! Anterior femora with teeth ! Anterior femora without teeth ! Upperside covered with various shades of ! Upperside largely smooth, with small ! Anterior femora with teeth brownish scales, giving a variegated patches of pubescence in fresh specimens ! Elytra with small patches of elongate appearance, and also with setae ! Antennae very long and slender golden-yellow scales 12 .