Sphenophorus parvulus
Sphenophorus parvulus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Coleoptera |
Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
Family: | Curculionidae |
Genus: | Sphenophorus |
Species: | S. parvulus
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Binomial name | |
Sphenophorus parvulus | |
Synonyms[1] | |
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Sphenophorus parvulus, commonly known as the bluegrass billbug, is a species of beetle in the family Curculionidae.[2][3] It is found in North America, especially in the eastern United States.[3][4] It is a pest of Kentucky bluegrass, other grasses, corn and grain crops.
Taxonomy
Swedish entomologist Leonard Gyllenhaal described the bluegrass billbug in 1838.[1] The species name is derived from the Latin adjective parvus "small".
Description
The adult bluegrass billbug is about 0.25 in (0.6 cm) in length, a third of which is the long, downward-curving snout or proboscis.[5] The thorax bears deep puncture marks and the elytra have longitudinal grooves. These billbugs are usually some shade of brown, grey or black.[6]
Distribution and habitat
The bluegrass billbug is native to North America. Its range extends from Ontario and Nova Scotia southwards to Idaho, New Mexico and Florida. It is commonest in the east of its range. It is found in grassland, including lawns, especially in association with Kentucky bluegrass,[2] as well as in corn and other grain crops.[6]
Ecology
The adult beetle feeds on seedlings and tender young shoots of various grasses. It seldom flies, preferring to scramble among the crop plants. Although Kentucky bluegrass seems to be its favored host plant, it will also feed on
References
- ^ a b c Poole, Robert W.; Gentili, Patricia, eds. (1996). "Coleoptera" (PDF). Nomina Insecta Nearctica: A Check List of the Insects of North America. Vol. 1: Coleoptera, Strepsiptera. p. 235.
- ^ a b "Sphenophorus parvulus Species Information". BugGuide.net. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
- ^ a b "Sphenophorus parvulus Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
- PMID 26692791.
- ^ ISBN 0-252-02016-2.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-12-158861-8.
Further reading
- Arnett, R.H. Jr., M. C. Thomas, P. E. Skelley and J. H. Frank. (eds.). (2002). American Beetles, Volume II: Polyphaga: Scarabaeoidea through Curculionoidea. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton, FL.
- Ross H. Arnett (30 July 2000). American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico. CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-8493-0212-1.
- Richard E. White. (1983). Peterson Field Guides: Beetles. Houghton Mifflin Company.