Water Fern Weevil
Stenopelmus rufinasus
This record describes Stenopelmus rufinasus (species). Recorded family: Brachyceridae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Brachyceridae
- Subfamily
- Erirhininae
- Genus
- Stenopelmus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e. US, CA-OR / Mex. - Map ( 3 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 ) native to our area, introduced to many temperate areas around the globe both accidentally (along with its host, the invasive Azolla filiculoides ) as well as deliberately as a biological control.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: host: mosquitofern ( Azolla , Azollaceae) ( 6 )
Life History
The females deposit eggs in holes that they have chewed in the water fern, and the hole is covered with a cap of frass. The larvae feed voraciously and are capable of eating several plants a day (McConnachis et al. 2004)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Stenopelmus rufinasus Gyllenhal 1835
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Stenopelmus rufinasus. 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 Water Fern Weevil (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Fern Weevil
How big is Water Fern Weevil?
1.8-2.0 mm
Where is Water Fern Weevil found?
Range: e. US, CA-OR / Mex. - Map ( 3 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 ) native to our area, introduced to many temperate areas around the globe both accidentally (along with its host, the invasive Azolla filiculoides ) as well as deliberately as a biological control.
What does Water Fern Weevil eat?
The diet of the Water Fern Weevil includes host: mosquitofern ( Azolla , Azollaceae) ( 6 ).
What is the life cycle of a Water Fern Weevil?
The females deposit eggs in holes that they have chewed in the water fern, and the hole is covered with a cap of frass. The larvae feed voraciously and are capable of eating several plants a day (McConnachis et al. 2004)