Blue-green Citrus Root Weevil
Pachnaeus litus
This record describes Pachnaeus litus (species). Recorded family: Curculionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A native species of root weevil and a minor pest of citrus and other plants. The egg masses are easily mistaken by those of Diaprepes abbreviatus , which is an intrduced serious pest of citrus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Curculionidae (Snout and Bark Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Entiminae
- Tribe
- Tanymecini
- Genus
- Pachnaeus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
hammock, pinelands, mangrove, prairie, salt marsh
Geographic Range
FL (n to Brevard Co.); Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on roots of citrus and 70 other plant species; the adults feed on tender shoots of the same plants.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Pachnaeus litus (Germar 1824)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Pachnaeus litus. 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 Blue-green Citrus Root Weevil (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hannah Nendick-Mason; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Blue-green Citrus Root Weevil
What is Blue-green Citrus Root Weevil?
Blue-green Citrus Root Weevil (Pachnaeus litus) is a species in the family Curculionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
Where is Blue-green Citrus Root Weevil found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | hammock, pinelands, mangrove, prairie, salt marsh |
| Range | FL (n to Brevard Co.); Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico |
What does Blue-green Citrus Root Weevil eat?
The diet of the Blue-green Citrus Root Weevil includes Larvae feed on roots of citrus and 70 other plant species; the adults feed on tender shoots of the same plants..