Rose curculio
(Merhynchites bicolor)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Biology • Distribution • Taxonomy
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Description |
Rose curculio is a small, 3 ⁄16″ to ¼″ long, hard-bodied, bud weevil. The forward segment of the body (prothorax) is much narrower than the base of the hardened wing covers (elytra). The upper plate covering the prothorax (pronotum) and elytra are both red and are covered with short, fine, erect hairs. The rest of the body is black. The back of the head is red, the eyes and the rest of the head are black. The snout is elongated, much longer than the head, and downward curved. The antennae are straight, clubbed, and inserted partway down the snout. The legs are black and are covered with short, fine, erect hairs. |
Size |
Total length: 3 ⁄16″ to ¼″ |
Similar Species |
Habitat |
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Biology |
Season |
Late May to early July |
Behavior |
Adults are found on the flowers of host species. |
Life Cycle |
The larvae develop in the hips of host species. |
Larva Food |
Fruits (hips) of various wild rose species. |
Adult Food |
Buds of various wild and cultivated rose species. |
Distribution |
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Sources |
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| 8/17/2025 | ||
Occurrence |
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Taxonomy |
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Order |
Coleoptera (beetles) |
Suborder |
Polyphaga (water, rove, scarab, long-horned, leaf, and snout beetles) |
Infraorder |
Cucujiformia |
Superfamily |
Curculionoidea (snout and bark beetles) |
Family |
Attelabidae (leaf-rolling weevils) |
Subfamily |
Rhynchitinae (leaf and bud weevils) |
Tribe |
Rhynchitini |
Genus |
Merhynchites (rose weevils) |
This species was formerly assigned to the genus Rhynchites. |
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Subordinate Taxa |
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Synonyms |
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Attelabus bicolor Curculio bicolor Rhynchites bicolor |
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Common Names |
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rose curculio |
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Glossary
Elytra
The hardened or leathery forewings of beetles used to protect the fragile hindwings, which are used for flying. Singular: elytron.
Pronotum
The exoskeletal plate on the upper side of the first segment of the thorax of an insect.
Prothorax
The first (forward) segment of the thorax on an insect, bearing the first pair of legs but not wings.
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Alfredo Colon |
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| Alfredo Colon 6/4/2021 |
Location: Woodbury, MN |
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| Alfredo Colon 6/5/2018 |
Location: Woodbury, MN |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 6/5/2018 Last Updated: © MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved. |