Cabbage Curculio
Ceutorhynchus rapae
This record describes Ceutorhynchus rapae (species). Recorded family: Curculionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
attacks broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and turnip plants by mining the stalks and feeding on the leaves ( 5 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Curculionidae (Snout and Bark Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Ceutorhynchinae
- Tribe
- Ceutorhynchini
- Genus
- Ceutorhynchus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
adventive and widespread in NA (Canada to Mexico) - Map , mostly n. 2/3rds of US and s. Can., native to Europe
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: several members of Brassicaceae; occasionally on Cannabis sativa ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Ceutorhynchus rapae (Gyllenhal 1837)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Ceutorhynchus rapae. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Coleoptera is the largest order of insects with over 400,000 described species, representing ~25% of all known animal species and ~40% of all insects. In the U.S. alone, nearly 30,000 beetle species have been identified.
Ecological role of the group
Beetles are prominent decomposers, especially in forests, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients. As predators, they reduce populations of pest insects. Many species are also important pollinators of flowering plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Beetles have major economic significance: leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) and weevils (Curculionoidea) are among the most destructive agricultural pests globally, costing billions annually, while predatory species like ladybugs provide natural pest control.
Recorded sources for this group: Britannica, Smithsonian, NCSU Entomology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Cabbage Curculio (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by margarethe brummermann; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Cabbage Curculio
What is Cabbage Curculio?
Cabbage Curculio (Ceutorhynchus rapae) is a species in the family Curculionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
Where is Cabbage Curculio found?
Range: adventive and widespread in NA (Canada to Mexico) - Map , mostly n. 2/3rds of US and s. Can., native to Europe
What does Cabbage Curculio eat?
The diet of the Cabbage Curculio includes hosts: several members of Brassicaceae; occasionally on Cannabis sativa ( 3 ).