Eastern Pine Weevil
Pissodes nemorensis
This record describes Pissodes nemorensis (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
- Molytinae
- Tribe
- Lymantini
- Genus
- Pissodes (Conifer Weevils)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
hammocks in FL
Geographic Range
mostly se coastal states (TX-FL-MD, KY) , but lots of BG records north of this historical range...
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Eggs are laid in the inner bark. The larvae feed beneath the bark, girdling and often killing the stem. Pupation occurs in "chip cocoons" in the wood during March. Adults appear and aestivate until fall. ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Pissodes nemorensis Germar 1824
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Pissodes nemorensis. 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 Eastern Pine Weevil (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , Vox Sciurorum , v belov , Marci Hess