Contribution to morphology, biology and distribution of Mecolenus wahlbergi Schoenherr, 1847, a relict African apionine weevil (Coleoptera: Brentidae: Apioninae).

Mecolenus wahlbergi Schoenherr, the sole member of the basal apionine tribe Mecolenini and one of the least known South African weevils, was re-discovered at a new locality at Umtamvuna River separating KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces. It was found feeding on leaves of the Broad-leaved Wild-quince Cryptocarya latifolia Sond. (Lauraceae), which is the first record on the biology of this species. The distribution of M. wahlbergi is summarized and mapped, including unpublished records based primarily on the specimens deposited at the Durban Natural Science Museum. Concordance between the distribution of the weevil and its putative host C. latifolia is discussed. The adult morphology of M. wahlbergi is re-described and illustrated.

New basal taxa of South African Apioninae (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea: Brentidae).

Four new genera, six new species and one new subspecies of the brentid subfamily Apioninae are described from the Republic of South Africa (R.S.A.), all representing ancient fauna with Gondwanan roots. The new genera are: Rhynchitapion gen. n., with Rh. variiforme sp. n. (the type-species) and Rh. pallidum sp. n., Apodytapion gen. n., with A. stepniewskii sp. n., Turnerapion gen. n., with T. pondoense sp. n., and Lepanomidius gen. n., with L. ruthmuellerae sp. n. (the type-species) and L. magdaloides sp. n. The primitive genus Lepanomus Balfour-Browne is re-described and a new subspecies of its type species, Lepanomus crinalis zuluensis ssp. n., is described from north-eastern R.S.A. In addition, Rhynchitapion usambarense sp. n. is described from Tanzania. An identification key to all 12 basal genera of South African Apioninae is presented and their higher systematics is discussed. Three new tribes are proposed in South African Apioninae: Rhynchitapiini trib. n., Apodytapiini trib. n., and Lepanomini trib. n., in addition to the existing basal Antliarhinini Schoenherr, 1823, Tanaini Schoenherr, 1839, Mecolenini Wanat, 2001, Apiomorphini Legalov, 2018, Setapiini Legalov, 2018, and derived Apionini Schoenherr, 1823. A temporary resignation from supertribal division of the subfamily is recommended after discussion.

Adult Postabdomen, Immature Stages and Biology of Euryommatus mariae Roger, 1856 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Conoderinae), a Legendary Weevil in Europe.

The larva and pupa of the saproxylic Euryommatus mariae Roger, 1857, the weevil species extremely rare in Europe, are described from Poland. It was reared from galleries in dead branches of a fallen spruce Picea abies. The larval morphology is compared with available larval descriptions of other genera of the supertribe Conoderitae, namely, the Palaearctic Coryssomerus, and the Nearctic Cylindrocopturus and Eulechriopus. The specific characters of the male and female postabdomen are described and illustrated, expressing the peculiar structure of endophallus and spermathecal duct, not seen in any other weevil species. A hypothesis regarding the mechanics of mating in this species is proposed. Euryommatus mariae is recorded for the first time to occur in China.

Mascarapion, a new genus of the Apioninae (Coleoptera, Curculionoidea) from the Mascarene Islands.

A new genus, Mascarapion, is erected, endemic to the Mascarene Archipelago. Three species are included as new combinations: M. mauritii (Beguin-Billecocq, 1905), M. roudieri (Richard, 1957) and M. richardi (Alonso-Zarazaga, 1983). Mascarapion richardi is given a new status of distinct species, its morphological differences from M. roudieri are described. The problematic placement of the new genus in existing apionine tribes is discussed.

Species delimitation within the Bothryorrhynchapion weevils: Multiple evidence from genetics, morphology and ecological associations.

Curculionidae is a hyperdiverse group of beetles, whose taxonomy and phylogenetics are still poorly understood, especially at the genus level. The latest work on the evolution of Apionini showed a noticeable "mess" in the subtribe Oxystomatina, where most of the morphology-based genera were found to be polyphyletic or paraphyletic. These discrepancies between classical taxonomy and molecular phylogenetics implied the need for further taxonomic revision of these groups. Here, we used sets of morphological, molecular and ecological characters to verify the taxonomic statuses and disentangle the phylogenetic relations among the Bothryorrhynchapion apionids, which are classified as a subgenus of Cyanapion. Morphological data including morphometrics, and multilocus molecular analyses confirmed the monophyly of the Bothryorrhynchapion and species statuses of five species. The morphological analyses showed that Cyanapion (Bothryorrhynchapion) protractum (Sharp, 1891) from the southeast Palaearctic is a synonym of C. (B.) gyllenhalii (Kirby). Moreover, ecological features (host plant use and presence/absence of the endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia) helped to unravel the relations among the examined weevils. The speciation of Bothryorrhynchapion apionids was probably affected by allopatric distribution, shifts in the preferred host plants (Vicia sp. or Lathyrus sp.) of sympatric taxa, and infection by different strains of Wolbachia. The paper presents the first comprehensive description of the species' morphology, biology and ecology, and includes a key to the species.

First descriptions of immature stages of the weevils Bagous elegans, B. aliciae, and B. lutulosus.

Last-instar larvae of Bagous elegans (F.), Bagous aliciae Cmoluch, and Bagous lutulosus (Gyllenhal), and the pupa of B. elegans, are described and illustrated for the first time. Biology of these species is analyzed in association with larval morphology and feeding habits. Overall larval and pupal morphological diagnoses of the genus Bagous are updated.

Descriptions of immature stages of the weevil Lixus punctiventris Boheman, 1835 (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Lixini).

Last instar larva of Lixus punctiventris Boheman is redescribed and illustrated, its pupa is described and illustrated for the first time. Biology of this species is analyzed in association with larval morphology and feeding habits. Overall larval and pupal morphological diagnoses of the genus Lixus and larval diagnosis of the tribe Lixini are updated.

The Apionidae (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) of New Caledonia. Genera Archellerenius gen. nov. and Hellerenius Wanat.

The New Caledonian endemic weevil genus Hellerenius is revised, with three new species described: H. monteithi, H. plumipes, and H. tibialis. A new genus Archellerenius is proposed for Archellerenius giustoi n. sp. Diagnoses, a key and distribution maps are provided for all species. Association of Hellerenius with the plant genus Hedycarya (Monimiaceae) is confirned.

Perapion connexum (Schilsky, 1902) (Coleoptera, Apionidae) in Central Europe, a case of plant expansion chase.

Perapion connexum (Schilsky) is recorded for the first time from Hungary and Kyrgyzstan, and new distribution data from Ukraine and Russia are provided. Preliminary placements of this weevil in faunal checklists for Poland and Slovakia are here documented with detailed data. Its occurrence in Austria based on older evidence, is discussed. The neophytic and invasive in Central Europe sorrel Rumex confertus Willd. is confirmed to be its unique host plant in Poland. Morphology of the newcoming weevil is described and illustrated, and the key to all Central European species of Perapion is presented.