COLEOPTERA > POLYPHAGA > CURCULIONOIDEA > Rhynchitidae and Apionidae

The CURCULIONOIDEA superfamily includes approximately 97,000 weevils worldwide, which are taxonomically split into various families, subfamilies and tribes based on certain features and characteristics that start with segregating the species that have elbowed (geniculate) antennae from those with straight antennae. The majority of species fall into the first category and are regarded as 'true weevils'. They are all placed within the large Curculionidae family. The remaining species with straight antennae, which are considered to be the more primitive species taxonomically, are separated into a number of smaller families collectively referred to as 'orthocerous weevils'.

In Britain we have around 620 species that are placed within either five or eleven families, dependent on the classification system being referenced. The two main online resources differ in their approach, one adopting the simplified system, and the other favouring the alternative arrangement that includes all the families listed below apart from Brentidae. The figures in [ ] refers to the number of species in the respective family or subfamily.      

Nemonychidae (Pine-flower weevils) [1].

Anthribidae (Fungus weevils) [10] < see previous page.

Attelabidae (Leaf-rolling beetles) [20], traditionally two species, but now incorporating Rhynchitinae, which has been downgraded from family to subfamily status; or, in accordance with the system adopted here, treating Rhynchitidae as a family (Tooth-nosed weevils) [18].  

Brentidae (Straight-snouted weevils) [89], incorporating Apioninae [87] and Nanophyinae [2]; or treating Apionidae, which have a typical weevil rostrum, but straight antennae, and Nanophyidae as separate families.

Curculionidae (True weevils) [497] with 17 subfamilies including Dryophthorinae [4], Brachycerinae that in turn includes the tribes Erirhini [13] and Raymondionymini [1], and Platypodinae (Ambrosia Beetle) [1]; or treating Dryophthoridae, Erirhinidae, Raymondionymidae and Platypodidae as separate families.

Until I have a better understanding of the group in general, and more experience in finding and identifying species, I'm going to refrain from adding specific notes regarding individual species. In time, I might expand the section with separate 'species accounts' but, for now, I'm just going to include a few photos of each of the weevils that I've photographed and have managed to identify - see next page for further information.

This page is for the 'orthocerous weevils,' which are distinguished by their straight antennae. I've only photographed four species so far, three from the Rhynchitidae family and just one from the Apionidae family.

Species from these two families can be confused, but generally speaking Rhynchitid weevils have a more compact, straight-sided form with prominent shoulders, a rostrum that is somewhat swollen with a slightly flattened tip and antenna with a loose club where the segments are distinct. Additional features such as being larger than 5mm or having any long erect hairs would also suggest a Rhynchitid. Apionids on the other hand, usually have a pear-shaped appearance with a more curved body with smaller more rounded shoulders and antennae that are inserted a little further back, or only just in the front half of the rostrum, and with a compact, rather than loose, club. And, any hairs will be flat, not erect.

It's also worth mentioning that although the photo below features one of the distinctive 'red' Apionid weevils, the vast majority of species in this large family are either plain black or metallic.

Updated, Jan.25 (v.3)