Insect · GBIF taxon 1210765
White-fringed weevil
Naupactus leucolomaAlso known as White-fringed Beetle, White Fringed Weevil
White-fringed weevils are stout, grayish-brown beetles easily recognized by the broad white stripe running along each side of their body. Native to South America, they have spread globally as agricultural pests whose soil-dwelling larvae voraciously feed on roots, tubers, and field crops. Nearly all adult individuals are flightless females that reproduce via parthenogenesis, allowing even a single beetle to establish a local infestation.
Agricultural PestFlightlessParthenogenetic
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Peanuts
- Soybeans
- Potatoes
Predators
- Ground beetles
- Birds
- Predatory nematodes
ThreatsAgricultural pesticides, soil tillage, and crop rotation
HabitatsAgricultural fields, pastures, gardens, and disturbed grasslands
Life span1 to 2 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderColeoptera
- FamilyCurculionidae
- GenusNaupactus
- SpeciesNaupactus leucoloma
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Look for Foliage Damage: Check crop and weed leaves for distinctive notched edges created by feeding adults.
- Examine the Sides: Observe the lateral pale white stripe running along the dark grayish body.
- Inspect Soil Roots: Dig carefully near stunted plants to spot white, C-shaped larvae underground.
Competitor (c) Annika Lindqvist, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Annika Lindqvist · cc-by
Ecological Analog (c) Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative Pavel Kirillov from St.Petersburg, Russia / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
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