Homalinotus coriaceus, also known as the black coconut bunch weevil, is a species of weevil belonging to the family Curculionidae. This species can be found in Brazil.[1] This beetle is a pest species that affects coconut cultivation, due to its lifecycle and feeding habits.[2]
Ecology
Due to the damage H. coriaceus can inflict on coconut trees, it is considered a major pest in Brazil. Larvae will tunnel into the peduncles of the coconut tree, feeding on the sap.[3] Likewise, adults will often damage the flowers and fruit tissues.[4] Since both life states of H. coriaceus promote the death of the fruit and flowers of the coconut tree, it has been estimated to have reduced coconut production in Brazil by 50%.[5]
Morphology
Black coconut bunch weevils are black and range between Шаблон:Convert long with a rostrum of approximately Шаблон:Convert,[6][7] the mature larvae are white, curved, bigger than the adult-beetle with Шаблон:Convert in length and display a rust-tinted head.[8] The eggs laid on the floral peduncle are white, smooth, and elongated.[7] This species has little to no sexual dimorphism, where females are a bit larger than males and have two subtle indentations on the pronotum.[8]
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