Waterlettuce Weevil
Neohydronomus affinis
This record describes Neohydronomus affinis (species). Recorded family: Brachyceridae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
used to control its host, an invasive aquatic plant
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Brachyceridae (True Weevils)
- Subfamily
- Erirhininae
- Genus
- Neohydronomus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to South America, introduced elsewhere (incl. se. US) to combat water lettuce
Diet and Behavior
Diet: water lettuce - Pistia stratiotes (Araceae) - Map ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Neohydronomus affinis Hustache
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Neohydronomus affinis. 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 Waterlettuce Weevil (2)
Photo credits: (c) Adrian Johnson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Adrian Johnson | (c) juliecoetzee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) | Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Waterlettuce Weevil
What is Waterlettuce Weevil?
Waterlettuce Weevil (Neohydronomus affinis) is a species in the family Brachyceridae, within the order Coleoptera.
Where is Waterlettuce Weevil found?
Range: native to South America, introduced elsewhere (incl. se. US) to combat water lettuce
What does Waterlettuce Weevil eat?
The diet of the Waterlettuce Weevil includes water lettuce - Pistia stratiotes (Araceae) - Map ( 3 ).