Abstract
Mature larvae and pupae of Cleonis pigra (Scopoli, 1763) (Curculionidae: Lixinae: Cleonini) are morphologically described in detail for the first time and compared with known larvae and pupae of other Cleonini species. The results of measurements and characteristics most typical for larvae and pupae of Cleonini are newly extracted and critically discussed, along with some records given previously. Keys for the determination of selected Cleonini species based on their larval and pupal characteristics are attached. Dyar’s law was used for the estimation of a number of larval instars of C. pigra. Descriptions of habitats, adult behavior, host plants, life cycle, and biotic interactions are reported here. Adults and larvae feed on plants from the Asteraceae family only (genera Carduus, Cirsium, Centaurea, and Onopordum). Oviposition occurs on the base of the plant stem or the root neck. In the process of larval development, a fusiform gall forms. C. pigra and Cyphocleonus achates can coexist in the same locality. In open habitats, the weevils become the prey of carnivorous animals.
Highlights
The tribe Cleonini belongs to the subfamily Lixinae [1], together with two other tribes: Lixini and Rhinocyllini.Currently, Cleonini weevils include approximately 97 valid genus-group taxa [2,4] and 546 valid species [5,6,7]
The main aims of this study are the following: (1) to re-describe larvae and pupae of Cleonis pigra in detail for the first time; (2) to compare this species with other known immature stages of this tribe; (3) to determine the number of larval instars via morphometric measurements; and (4) to provide details on their life history based on observations in central Europe
The number remains low in comparison with the total number of Cleonini species, these results demonstrate the possibility of identifying the immature stages in these species, as was done in other groups of weevils
Summary
The tribe Cleonini belongs to the subfamily Lixinae [1], together with two other tribes: Lixini (approximately 40 genera, see [2]) and Rhinocyllini (two genera; sometimes part of Lixini, see [3]). Cleonini weevils include approximately 97 valid genus-group taxa [2,4] and 546 valid species [5,6,7]. The distribution is known to be mainly in the Northern Hemisphere; from south of the equator, they are known only in continental Africa and Madagascar [2]. Representatives of this tribe prefer xeric habitats and sandy soil. The morphology of immature Cleonini is still poorly known, but the first detailed, illustrated larval descriptions were recently made [9,10,11]
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