Pales Weevil
Hylobius pales
This record describes Hylobius pales (species). Recorded family: Curculionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Can be a pest in Chrismas-tree and other pine plantations. The first evidence of attack is a series of small holes/pits in the bark ( 5 )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Curculionidae (Snout and Bark Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Molytinae
- Tribe
- Hylobiini
- Genus
- Hylobius
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Pine forests
Geographic Range
e. NA (NS‒FL to AB‒TX) - Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults chew into twigs of young pine saplings; preferred hosts: White, Pitch, Loblolly, and Shortleaf Pines
Life History
Adults largely nocturnal, attracted to freshly-cut pines. Females lay eggs in stumps of recently killed or cut trees in spring. Larvae mature by mid-summer. In the north, they overwinter as adults under litter or as larvae in the roots. In the south, the overwinter as adults in the soil. They feed, mate, and lay eggs in roots of pine stumps or weakened trees. Larvae feed under bark until early fall, then form cells in sapwood where they pupate. In the north, the life cycle in 2 years; in the south, 1 year with a partial 2nd generation. ( 5 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Hylobius pales (Herbst 1797)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Hylobius pales. 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 Pales Weevil (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Pales Weevil
What is Pales Weevil?
Pales Weevil (Hylobius pales) is a species in the family Curculionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Pales Weevil?
5.8‒11.4 mm
Where is Pales Weevil found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Pine forests |
| Range | e. NA (NS‒FL to AB‒TX) - Map |
What does Pales Weevil eat?
The diet of the Pales Weevil includes Adults chew into twigs of young pine saplings; preferred hosts: White, Pitch, Loblolly, and Shortleaf Pines.
What is the life cycle of a Pales Weevil?
Adults largely nocturnal, attracted to freshly-cut pines. Females lay eggs in stumps of recently killed or cut trees in spring. Larvae mature by mid-summer. In the north, they overwinter as adults under litter or as larvae in the roots. In the south, the overwinter as adults in the soil. They feed, mate, and lay eggs in roots of pine stumps or weakened trees. Larvae feed under bark until early fall, then form cells in sapwood where they pupate. In the north, the life cycle in 2 years; in the south, 1 year with a partial 2nd generation. ( 5 )