Timberworms, primitive weevils, straight snouted weevils

Code QCAM9999

A family of weevils. The head is developed as a long to moderate rostrum. The body is round in section and heavily sclerotised, with the first two of five visible abdominal sternites fused to the thorax. Brentidae differ outwardly from Curculionidae (the most speciose family of weevils) in having no elbow in the antennae.

Most Brentidae (Polyphaga: Curculionoidea) are terrestrial but a few feed on aquatic plants, especially in the genus Nanophyes, larvae of which have been found mining the stems of Ludwigia (Onagraceae), an aquatic plant. The aquatic Brentidae could not be mistaken for members of any other aquatic family except Curculionidae, and the antennae offer a definitive separating character. Overall, around 200 species of brentids in 5 subfamilies occur in Australia.

Reference:

Lawrence, J.F. and Britton, E.B. (1991) Coleoptera. pp. 543-683. In: CSIRO, Insects of Australia. Volume 2. Melbourne University Press, Carlton, Victoria.