Alfalfa Snout Beetle
Otiorhynchus ligustici
This record describes Otiorhynchus ligustici (species). Recorded family: Curculionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Curculionidae (Snout and Bark Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Entiminae
- Tribe
- Otiorhynchini
- Genus
- Otiorhynchus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to the Palaearctic (very common and widespread there), adventive and local in NA (se. ON, n. NY; first reported 1896)
Diet and Behavior
Life History
parthenogenetic; 2-yr cycle ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Otiorhynchus (Cryphiphorus) ligustici (Linnaeus 1758)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Otiorhynchus ligustici. 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 Alfalfa Snout Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Alfalfa Snout Beetle
How big is Alfalfa Snout Beetle?
9-11 mm
Where is Alfalfa Snout Beetle found?
Range: native to the Palaearctic (very common and widespread there), adventive and local in NA (se. ON, n. NY; first reported 1896)
What is the life cycle of a Alfalfa Snout Beetle?
parthenogenetic; 2-yr cycle ( 3 )