Parkinsonia Seed Beetle
Penthobruchus germaini
This record describes Penthobruchus germaini (species). Recorded family: Chrysomelidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
first US record from e. Calif in 2012 where it was already described as an infestation timeline of first state records per iNat (& BG) data: 2017 - first CA record - Pasadena 2018 - first AZ record - Nogales (per BG data) 2019 - first TX record - El Paso 2020 - first Sonora, Mex. record - Esperanza 2020 - first N.L., Mex. record - Monterrey 2021 - first Chihuahua, Mex. record - Meoqu 2022 - first central TX record - San Antonio Retama is native from s. US to n. Argentina, but has been introduced from s. Europe to So. Africa to n. Australia potential direct competitor with Mimosestes ulkei (Horn) for the seeds of Parkinsonia spp. - Range: AZ / nw Mex. Det. Salvador Vitanza, 2017 other spp. thought to host narrowly on Parkinsonia spp. include a number of Leps, Electrostrymon hugon, Cyanophrys miserabilis, Ofatulena duodecemstriata, Ofatulena luminosa, Melipotis acontioides and one buprestid, Acmaeodera princeps
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Chrysomeloidea
- Family
- Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Bruchinae
- Tribe
- Bruchini
- Genus
- Penthobruchus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
adventive across sw US (s. CA-AZ, w. & c. TX) / n. Mex. , native to Argentina, s. Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay , also introduced to Australia
Seasonal Activity
Mar-Oct in the US
Diet and Behavior
Diet: restricted to feeding on retama seeds ( Parkinsonia aculeata , Fabaceae)
Life History
under natural field conditions in Argentina, P. germaini is highly prevalent, infesting almost 50% of the pods and destroying almost 40% of the seeds produced by parkinsonia in one season. ( 4 ) however in Australia, mean seed predation was relatively low (2-30%), and unexplained egg mortality (6-44%), egg parasitism (10-70%) and larval/pupal mortality (62%) were high ( 5 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: named for Philibert Germain (1827–1913), French-born Chilean entomologist.
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Penthobruchus germaini. 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 Parkinsonia Seed Beetle (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Parkinsonia Seed Beetle
What is Parkinsonia Seed Beetle?
Parkinsonia Seed Beetle (Penthobruchus germaini) is a species in the family Chrysomelidae, within the order Coleoptera.
Where is Parkinsonia Seed Beetle found?
Range: adventive across sw US (s. CA-AZ, w. & c. TX) / n. Mex. , native to Argentina, s. Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay , also introduced to Australia
What does Parkinsonia Seed Beetle eat?
The diet of the Parkinsonia Seed Beetle includes restricted to feeding on retama seeds ( Parkinsonia aculeata , Fabaceae).
When is Parkinsonia Seed Beetle active?
Parkinsonia Seed Beetle: seasonal activity - Mar-Oct in the US.
What is the life cycle of a Parkinsonia Seed Beetle?
under natural field conditions in Argentina, P. germaini is highly prevalent, infesting almost 50% of the pods and destroying almost 40% of the seeds produced by parkinsonia in one season. ( 4 ) however in Australia, mean seed predation was relatively low (2-30%), and unexplained egg mortality (6-44%), egg parasitism (10-70%) and larval/pupal mortality (62%) were high ( 5 )