Gonipterinae
Encyclopedia
Gonipterinae is a subfamily of weevils. The larvae and adults are usually found on eucalyptus
trees, where they feed upon the foliage. The larvae are legless and slug-like in appearance. The adults have a broad body, and short stout rostrum.
Gonipterus gibberus
and Gonipterus scutellatus
(eucalyptus weevil) were introduced from Australia
to South America
, where they became pest species in eucalypt plantations. Control of Gonipterus in South America was largely achieved following the introduction from Australia of a small parasitic wasp that attacks the weevil’s eggs, providing an example of biological control.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
trees, where they feed upon the foliage. The larvae are legless and slug-like in appearance. The adults have a broad body, and short stout rostrum.
Gonipterus gibberus
Gonipterus gibberus
Gonipterus gibberus is a species of weevil in the Curculionidae family. It is commonly known as the eucalyptus snout beetle, the eucalyptus weevil or the gum tree weevil. It feeds and breeds on Eucalyptus trees and is endemic to Australia.-Description:This weevil is greyish-brown with a light...
and Gonipterus scutellatus
Gonipterus scutellatus
Gonipterus scutellatus is a species of weevil in the Curculionidae family. It is commonly known as the eucalyptus snout beetle, the eucalyptus weevil or the gum tree weevil. It feeds and breeds on Eucalyptus trees and is endemic to Australia.-Description:This weevil is greyish-brown with a light...
(eucalyptus weevil) were introduced from Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
to South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, where they became pest species in eucalypt plantations. Control of Gonipterus in South America was largely achieved following the introduction from Australia of a small parasitic wasp that attacks the weevil’s eggs, providing an example of biological control.