Mottled Waterhyacinth Weevil
Neochetina eichhorniae
This record describes Neochetina eichhorniae (species). Recorded family: Brachyceridae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Introduced intentionally in 1972 to combat Eichhornia crassipes ; native to Argentina and bordering countries
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Brachyceridae
- Subfamily
- Erirhininae
- Genus
- Neochetina (Waterhyacinth Weevils)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
coastal localities
Geographic Range
se US (TX-LA, FL) - Map , native to South America, introduced in FL , now widely dist.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: host: Water Hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes , Pontederiaceae) ( 4 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Neochetina eichhorniae Warner 1970
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Neochetina eichhorniae. 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 Mottled Waterhyacinth Weevil (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Mottled Waterhyacinth Weevil
What is Mottled Waterhyacinth Weevil?
Mottled Waterhyacinth Weevil (Neochetina eichhorniae) is a species in the family Brachyceridae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Mottled Waterhyacinth Weevil?
♂ 3.4-4.5 mm, ♀ 3.8-4.9 mm
Where is Mottled Waterhyacinth Weevil found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | coastal localities |
| Range | se US (TX-LA, FL) - Map , native to South America, introduced in FL , now widely dist. |
What does Mottled Waterhyacinth Weevil eat?
The diet of the Mottled Waterhyacinth Weevil includes host: Water Hyacinth ( Eichhornia crassipes , Pontederiaceae) ( 4 ).