The first molecular phylogeny of the weevil subfamily Lixinae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) casts doubts on the monophyly of its tribes.

This paper targets the nearly cosmopolitan weevil subfamily Lixinae. A phylogenetic analysis of one mitochondrial and two nuclear DNA fragments obtained from 87 Lixinae and 49 outgroup terminals strongly supports the monophyly of the subfamily. The molytine tribe Mecysolobini is the likeliest sister group of Lixinae; adults of both taxa share the likely synapomorphic condition of the greatly shortened labial palpi. Phylogenetic relationships within the subfamily are poorly resolved. None of three Lixinae tribes is recovered as monophyletic. The subfamilys oldest dichotomy is formed by a clade of two genera Rhabdorrhynchus plus Pachycerus sister to the rest of the subfamily. The genera Chromonotus, Larinus, Lixus, and Stephanocleonus are recovered as non-monophyletic. The genera Asproparthenis, Chromonotus, and Maximus form a strongly supported clade. The genus Eumecops is the likeliest sister to the clade formed by the genera Stephanocleonus plus Coniocleonus. The cleonine genus Scaphomorphus is a sister to a subset of externally most similar species of the genus Lixus; the same clade likely includes the genus Lixoglyptus not represented in the analysis. As an aside we provide a short summary of active flight in adult Cleonini.

Cleonis pigra (Scopoli, 1763) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Lixinae): Morphological Re-Description of the Immature Stages, Keys, Tribal Comparisons and Biology.

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.

A survey of the weevils of Ukraine (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea).

The fauna of weevils Curculionoidea of Ukraine numbers 1453 species equivalent to 25.3% of European fauna. They belong to 10 families and 364 genera. A total of 51 species are recorded from Ukraine for the first time. Assessment of inventory completeness indicates that 62% of the area of Ukraine are covered by samples. Spatial join analysis has reveals strong collecting biases and shows maximal richness in cells which fall into well-sampled provinces. A total of 22 out of 33 studied model sites are well-sampled (C>0.5). In total, we estimate ca.1470 species of Curculionoidea living in Ukraine. Curculionidae comprise the majority (82%) of the fauna, with 1202 species and 266 genera, and with remarkably high proportion of the three largest subfamilies: Entiminae (26%), Curculioninae (19%), and Ceutorhynchinae (18%). Consolidated data analysis shows highest richness (678-822 spp.) in provinces which fall into the mountain areas. Aggregated species richness for each of five ecoregions uncovers highest values in Pontic steppe (665 species) and East European forest-steppe (593 species). Habitat distribution of weevils is strongly uneven. Most of the richness (565 spp.) is harboured in lowland broadleaf forests. Salt marshes, salt steppes and sands are extreme habitats with low richness but high proportion of habitat specialists. Only 141 dominant species representing 18% of the total fauna but make up to 63% of the total population of weevils in Ukraine. Endemic species comprise a small proportion of the fauna but are remarkably concentrated in the mountains of Crimea (24 species) and the Carpathians (25 species). Along with 'true' endemics, 210 species are narrowly-ranged non-endemics and also have higher concentration in Crimea and the Carpathians (105 and 38 spp.). A total of 82 species are qualified as widely-ranged with high concentration in Central European Mixed Forests and East European Forest Steppe (71 spp. on average per province).        The high diversity and evenness of weevil assemblages is shown by species sequence curve analysis in the Crimean Mountains, the Carpathians, steppes and lowland broad leaf forests, which contrasts with assemblages in lowland mixed forests. Shannon-Wiener and Simpson indices both show an extremely broad range of evenness in the Pontic Steppes which have both assemblages with low evenness in Stipa-Festuca-Koeleria steppes and high evenness in Stipa-Bromopsis steppes (H' =1.87-4.22). East European Forest Steppe and Central European Mixed Forests harbour similarly even communities (H' =3.60-4.48 vs. 3.18-4.57). The Crimean Mountains and the Carpathians are defined as a hotspot of biodiversity combining the highest scores of endemics, R1 species, and highest alpha diversity. Host plants are documented for 1259 species. Some 83% of weevils feed on live tissues of angiosperm plants belonging to 64 families. A total of 258 species are confirmed as polyphagous, 8 as monophagous, thus the majority of the rest are more or less narrowly oligophagous. A total of 33.68% of the species are associated with Fabaceae, Asteraceae, and Brassicaceae.

Description of the immature stages of Larinus vulpes and notes on its biology (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Lixinae).

Mature larva and pupa of Larinus vulpes (Olivier, 1807) (Curculionidae: Lixinae: Lixini) are morphologically described for the first time and compared with known larvae and pupae of other Larinus species. Very high counts of larval body setae (pronotum with more than 25 setae and postdorsum on meso- and metathorax and also on abdominal segments I-VII with more than 12 setae) are characteristic features of the nominotypical subgenus Larinus. The biology of the species was studied in Ukraine. Echinops ruthenicus and E. sphaerocephalus were identified as host plants of both larvae and adults of this weevil based on the present research in Ukraine, which shows probably oligophagous. Overwintering beetles emerged at the end of May or earlier, then feeding and mating on the host plants. The highest level of adult activity was observed at the end of June. Larvae were endophagous within the flower heads. In July and August, the larvae pupated within inflorescences in a pupation cell. Adults exited the cells at the end of August and did not hibernate on the host plants. Sometimes, larvae and imagines of a new generation were found outside the flower heads in chambers constructed on the stems.

Biology and morphology of immature stages of Lixus canescens (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Lixinae).

Mature larvae and pupae of Lixus (Eulixus) canescens Steven, 1829 (Curculionidae: Lixinae: Lixini) are described and compared with known larvae and pupae of other Lixus species. The biology of the species was studied in Ukraine. A species of Crambe (Brassicaceae) was identified as host plant of both larvae and adults of this weevil. The weevil is very likely oligophagous. Lixus canescens prefers dry, sunny places, such as open areas of sand close to sea shores with growing host plants. Overwintering beetles emerge in the late spring (mid-May), and then feed and mate on the host plants. The highest level of activity of the adults was observed at the end of May. Larvae are endophagous in the host plant stem. At the end of July, the larvae pupate within the stem inside a pupation cell. Adults leave the cells at the end of summer and do not hibernate on the host plants. They then, most likely, spend some time feeding on the host plants and looking for suitable shelter in which to overwinter.