By: GeneCooper
Image: Gene Cooper, GIGAmacro ⧉
Subject: California Academy of Science ⧉
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Uploaded: 22 Apr 2014
Last Updated: 22 Apr 2014

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The Curculionidae are the family of the "true" weevils (or "snout beetles"). They are one of the largest animal families, with 5,489 genera and 86,100[1] species described worldwide. They also include the bark beetles as subfamily Scolytinae, which are modified[unreliable source?] in shape in accordance with their wood-boring lifestyle. They do not much resemble other weevils, so they were traditionally considered a distinct family, Scolytidae. The family also includes the ambrosia beetles, of which the present-day subfamily Platypodinae was formerly considered the distinct family Platypodidae. They are recognized by their distinctive long snouts and geniculate antennae with small clubs; beyond that, curculionids have considerable diversity of form and size, with adult lengths ranging from 1 to 40 mm (0.04 to 1.57 in). Weevils are almost entirely plant feeders, and most species are associated with a narrow range of hosts, in many cases only living on a single species. With so many species to classify and over 400 genera, the taxonomy of this family is quite complicated, and authors disagree on the number and placement of various subfamilies, tribes, and subtribes. [Source: Wikipedia]