Greater Chestnut Weevil
Curculio caryatrypes
This record describes Curculio caryatrypes (species). Recorded family: Curculionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The Greater Chestnut Weevil is Curculio caryatrypes and it is easily recognized as its the only Curculio with segment two of the antennal funicule (the part beyond the elbow) longer than segment 1. In Lesser Chestnut Weevil segment 1 is longer than 2. (Paraphrased comment by Robert Anderson) Had been believed to be extinct (Anderson, 2017): ...the most recent study of the taxonomy of the genus Curculio, which brought together thousands of museum specimens of the genus, could find no specimens of Curculio caryatrypes collected any later than 1956. Other efforts at sampling insects living on surviving American chestnut trees have similarly not collected this species. Recently reported from Pennsylvania on iNaturalist .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Curculionidae (Snout and Bark Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Curculioninae
- Tribe
- Curculionini
- Genus
- Curculio (Nut and Acorn Weevils)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Curculio caryatrypes. 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 Greater Chestnut Weevil (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis
Frequently Asked Questions About Greater Chestnut Weevil
What is Greater Chestnut Weevil?
Greater Chestnut Weevil (Curculio caryatrypes) is a species in the family Curculionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Greater Chestnut Weevil?
6.5-13 mm
How do you identify Greater Chestnut Weevil?
The Greater Chestnut Weevil is Curculio caryatrypes and it is easily recognized as its the only Curculio with segment two of the antennal funicule (the part beyond the elbow) longer than segment 1. In Lesser Chestnut Weevil segment 1 is longer than 2. (Paraphrased comment by Robert Anderson)