Western Rose Curculio
Merhynchites wickhami
This record describes Merhynchites wickhami (species). Recorded family: Attelabidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Merhynchites wickhami, the western rose curculio, is a species of leaf rolling weevil in the beetle family Attelabidae. It is found in North America.
Wikipedia reference for Merhynchites wickhami: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merhynchites_wickhami.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Attelabidae (Leaf Rolling Weevils)
- Subfamily
- Rhynchitinae
- Tribe
- Rhynchitini
- Genus
- Merhynchites
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
w.NA east to MB-TX, IL - Map ( C.W. O'Brien's comment )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: develops in Rosa buds
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Merhynchites wickhami Cockerell 1912
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Merhynchites wickhami. 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 Western Rose Curculio (9)
Photo credits: (c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cricket Raspet | (c) Séraphin Poudrier, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Séraphin Poudrier | (c) Brent Guinn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Brent Guinn | (c) J Floer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by J Floer | (c) Alex Bairstow, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Alex Bairstow | (c) Nancy Asquith, all rights reserved, uploaded by Nancy Asquith | Contributed by Lynette Elliott; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Western Rose Curculio
What is Western Rose Curculio?
Western Rose Curculio (Merhynchites wickhami) is a species in the family Attelabidae, within the order Coleoptera.
Where is Western Rose Curculio found?
Range: w.NA east to MB-TX, IL - Map ( C.W. O'Brien's comment )
What does Western Rose Curculio eat?
The diet of the Western Rose Curculio includes develops in Rosa buds.