Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
=Brachyderinae, Leptopiinae, Otiorhynchinae, Tanymecinae, Thylacitinae.
Numbers
the most diverse weevil subfamily in NA, with 124 genera in 23 tribes represented (hundreds of spp.)
(1)(2)Identification
Rostrum (snout) at most about two times as long as wide, often considerably shorter. NB: members of other subfamilies (esp. Cossoninae, Scolytinae, and Lixinae) may have short snouts!
Antennae inserted dorsally (then diagnostic), or laterally. The first antennomere usually reaches or surpasses eyes when laid backwards (a rare case in other subfamilies)
Apical excision of the rostrum completely covered by the mentum, no submentum present (the defining character of the group, but only visible in a ventral view)
A quick pictorial guide
hereFood
tend to be polyphagous herbivores
Life Cycle
Larvae of the group generally live in soil and feed on roots. Eggs are dropped, laid on soil under plant, but never placed in plant tissues. Many spp. are parthenogenetic (several such lineages within the subfamily).
Remarks
both the polyphagy and parthenogenesis greatly facilitate introduction/establishment of alien species -- see
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