An illustrated synoptic key and comparative morphology of the larvae of Dryophthorinae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) genera with emphasis on the mouthparts

Authors: Chamorro, Maria

Submitted to: Diversity
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/10/2018
Publication Date: 1/2/2019
Citation: Chamorro, M.L. 2019. An illustrated synoptic key and comparative morphology of the larvae of Dryophthorinae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) genera with emphasis on the mouthparts. Diversity. 11(1):1-96.

Interpretive Summary: Dryophthorinae, or palm weevils, include some of the most economically important weevil pests. Feeding damage occurs primarily during the endophytic larval stage. Approximately five percent of dryophthorine genera have associated developmental stages. In this study, the larval stage of the 38 dryophthorinae genera for which larvae are known are included in a multi-entry fully illustrated key. This newly rediscovered format attempts to reduce ambiguity and limitations sometimes posed by traditional, single-entry dichotomous keys. This study provides suites of characters for identification and morphology-based phylogenetic studies. This study aims to become the definitive identification tool for scientific community, port identifiers, evolutionary biologists and the general public.

Technical Abstract: This study provides an illustrated synoptic key and comparative morphology to the 38 known larvae of dryophthorine genera representing seven subtribes in four of the five tribes: Cactophagus LeConte, Cosmopolites Chevrolat, Cyrtotrachelus Schoenherr, Diathetes Pascoe, Diocalandra Faust, Dryophthoroides Roelofs, Dryophthorus Germar, Dynamis Chevrolat, Eucalandra Faust, Eugnoristus Schoenherr, Foveolus Vaurie, Mesocordylus Lacordaire, Metamasius Horn, Metamasius (=Paramasius Kuschel), Myocalandra Faust, Nassophasis Waterhouse, Nephius Pascoe, Odoiporus Chevrolat, Phacecorynes Schoenherr, Polytus Faust, Poteriophorus Sc hoenherr, Rhabdoscelus Marshall, Rhinostomus Rafinesque, Rhodobaenus LeConte, Rhynchophorus Herbst, Scyphophorus Schoenherr, Sipalinus Marshall, Sitophilus Schoenherr, Sparganobasis Marshall, Sphenophorus Schoenherr, Stenommatus Wollaston, Temnoschoita Chevrolat, Trigonotarsus Guerin-Meneville, Trochorhopalus Kirsch, Tryphetus Faust, Xerodermus Lacordaire, and Yuccaborus LeConte. Only Prodioctes Pascoe was not included due to lack of specimens to examine. Seven genera are reported here for the first time. Detailed line drawings of the mouthparts of 37 genera are provided. The synoptic key is a multi-entry key, different from a traditional, single entry dichotomous key, which allows the user to identify dryophthorine larvae using any combination of characters (couplets). A total of 52 characters are included. This study provides support for the retention of Stromboscerini in the subfamily.