Brown Leaf Notcher
Epicaerus mexicanus
This record describes Epicaerus mexicanus (species). Recorded family: Curculionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
a Mexican species extending into Texas at Brownsville (Pierce, 1910)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Curculionidae (Snout and Bark Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Entiminae
- Tribe
- Geonemini
- Genus
- Epicaerus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Corpus Christi to s. Mex. - Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adult weevils bite small notches in the margins of fresh citrus foliage. Larvae consume the outer bark of citrus roots.
Life History
Сan be a pest on citrus trees. Adults cause no significant damage, but feeding by larvae can allow infections by soil-borne pathogens including Phytophthora fungus.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Epicaerus mexicanus Boheman 1834
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Epicaerus mexicanus. 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 Brown Leaf Notcher (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Phillip Harpootlian; Additional contributions by Joshua Stuart Rose , Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Brown Leaf Notcher
What is Brown Leaf Notcher?
Brown Leaf Notcher (Epicaerus mexicanus) is a species in the family Curculionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
Where is Brown Leaf Notcher found?
Range: Corpus Christi to s. Mex. - Map
What does Brown Leaf Notcher eat?
The diet of the Brown Leaf Notcher includes Adult weevils bite small notches in the margins of fresh citrus foliage. Larvae consume the outer bark of citrus roots..
What is the life cycle of a Brown Leaf Notcher?
Сan be a pest on citrus trees. Adults cause no significant damage, but feeding by larvae can allow infections by soil-borne pathogens including Phytophthora fungus.