Tobacco Weevil
Trichobaris mucorea
This record describes Trichobaris mucorea (species). Recorded family: Curculionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Lee et al. examined the host-selection behaviours of two sympatric weevils, the Datura (Trichobaris compacta) and tobacco (T. mucorea) weevils in field and glasshouse experiments... Adult females of both species strongly preferred to feed on D. wrightii rather than on N. attenuata leaves, but T. mucorea preferred to oviposit on N. attenuata, while T. compacta oviposited only on D. wrightii. These oviposition behaviours increased offspring performance: T. compacta larvae only survived in D. wrightii stems and T. mucorea larvae survived better in N. attenuata than in D. wrightii stems.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Curculionidae (Snout and Bark Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Baridinae
- Tribe
- Baridini
- Genus
- Trichobaris
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
sw. US (s.CA-w.TX, s.UT) & Mex. - Map ( 3 ) ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: coyote tobacco ( Nicotiana attenuata , Solanaceae)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Trichobaris mucorea (LeConte 1858)
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Trichobaris mucorea. 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 Tobacco Weevil (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by margarethe brummermann; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Tobacco Weevil
What is Tobacco Weevil?
Tobacco Weevil (Trichobaris mucorea) is a species in the family Curculionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
Where is Tobacco Weevil found?
Range: sw. US (s.CA-w.TX, s.UT) & Mex. - Map ( 3 ) ( 4 )
What does Tobacco Weevil eat?
The diet of the Tobacco Weevil includes coyote tobacco ( Nicotiana attenuata , Solanaceae).