Xyleborus spinulosus
This record describes Xyleborus spinulosus (species). Recorded family: Curculionidae. Recorded order: Coleoptera.
Identification and Appearance
color dark brown to almost black See Fig. 15: BCA ( Close-up - by Tom Atkinson, 2010) Type Locality: San Geronimo, Guatemala
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Coleoptera (Beetles)
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Superfamily
- Curculionoidea
- Family
- Curculionidae (Snout and Bark Beetles)
- Subfamily
- Scolytinae
- Tribe
- Xyleborini
- Genus
- Xyleborus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
southmost Texas south to Argentina / Hawaii ( 3 ) , ( 4 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Hosts on spp. in the following families: Anacardiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Lauraceae, Mimosaceae, Moraceae, Rubiaceae, Sapotaceae, Verbenaceae ( 3 )
Life History
Unthrifty, cut, or broken seedlings, limbs, and branches of trees and lianas are infested by this species. The tunnels evidently are similar to those of Xylosandrus .
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Xyleborus spinulosus Blandford, 1898
About Primitive Winged Insects: the wider group
Order-level background for Coleoptera, the group containing Xyleborus spinulosus. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Xyleborus spinulosus
What is Xyleborus spinulosus?
Xyleborus spinulosus is a species in the family Curculionidae, within the order Coleoptera.
How big is Xyleborus spinulosus?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | Length 1.5 mm |
| Female | Length 1.8-2.6 mm |
How do you identify Xyleborus spinulosus?
color dark brown to almost black See Fig. 15: BCA ( Close-up - by Tom Atkinson, 2010)
Where is Xyleborus spinulosus found?
Range: southmost Texas south to Argentina / Hawaii ( 3 ) , ( 4 )
What does Xyleborus spinulosus eat?
The diet of the Xyleborus spinulosus includes Hosts on spp. in the following families: Anacardiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Lauraceae, Mimosaceae, Moraceae, Rubiaceae, Sapotaceae, Verbenaceae ( 3 ).
What is the life cycle of a Xyleborus spinulosus?
Unthrifty, cut, or broken seedlings, limbs, and branches of trees and lianas are infested by this species. The tunnels evidently are similar to those of Xylosandrus .