Egyptian Alfalfa Weevil
Hypera brunnipennis
This record describes Hypera brunnipennis (species). Recorded family: Curculionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
close to H. postica , no reliable structural differences have been found except slight but consistent mandibular characters of the adult
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Curculionidae (Snout and Bark Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Hyperinae
- Genus
- Hypera
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to the Middle East, adventive elsewhere; in NA, throughout sw.US & Baja
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: Fabaceae; in our area, Medicago spp., Melilotus indica, Trigonella foenum-graecum
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Hypera brunnipennis (Boheman 1834)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Hypera brunnipennis. 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 Egyptian Alfalfa Weevil (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Egyptian Alfalfa Weevil
What is Egyptian Alfalfa Weevil?
Egyptian Alfalfa Weevil (Hypera brunnipennis) is a species in the family Curculionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Egyptian Alfalfa Weevil?
~5 mm
How do you identify Egyptian Alfalfa Weevil?
close to H. postica , no reliable structural differences have been found except slight but consistent mandibular characters of the adult
Where is Egyptian Alfalfa Weevil found?
Range: native to the Middle East, adventive elsewhere; in NA, throughout sw.US & Baja
What does Egyptian Alfalfa Weevil eat?
The diet of the Egyptian Alfalfa Weevil includes hosts: Fabaceae; in our area, Medicago spp., Melilotus indica, Trigonella foenum-graecum.