Diaprepes Root Weevil
Diaprepes abbreviatus
This record describes Diaprepes abbreviatus (species). Recorded family: Curculionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
color variable (from gray to yellow to orange to black) Major pest of citrus crops: larvae often girdle the taproot, which may kill the plant and provide an avenue for Phythophora infections. A single larva can kill young hosts while several larvae can cause serious decline of older, established hosts. Pest of sugarcane in the Caribbean ; earliest record in our area: FL 1964 so. & central FL, so. TX (Cameron & Hidalgo Cos 2000, Corpus Christi 2005, Houston 2009; so. CA, LA; further north in greenhouses
Wikipedia reference for Diaprepes abbreviatus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaprepes_abbreviatus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Curculionidae (Snout and Bark Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Entiminae
- Tribe
- Eustylini
- Genus
- Diaprepes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Native to the Caribbean, adventive mostly along Gulf and s. Atlantic Coasts (s. TX to s. FL to SC) - Map , large populations in Houston and c. Florida
Diet and Behavior
Diet: highly polyphagous; larvae feed on roots, adults on foliage of citrus trees (esp. oranges in TX) and almost 300 other plant species
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Diaprepes abbreviatus (Linnaeus 1758)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Diaprepes abbreviatus. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diaprepes Root Weevil
What is Diaprepes Root Weevil?
Diaprepes Root Weevil (Diaprepes abbreviatus) is a species in the family Curculionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Diaprepes Root Weevil?
10-19 mm
How do you identify Diaprepes Root Weevil?
color variable (from gray to yellow to orange to black)
Where is Diaprepes Root Weevil found?
Range: Native to the Caribbean, adventive mostly along Gulf and s. Atlantic Coasts (s. TX to s. FL to SC) - Map , large populations in Houston and c. Florida
What does Diaprepes Root Weevil eat?
The diet of the Diaprepes Root Weevil includes highly polyphagous; larvae feed on roots, adults on foliage of citrus trees (esp. oranges in TX) and almost 300 other plant species.