Homalinotus coriaceus

Homalinotus coriaceus, the black coconut bunch weevil, is a species of weevil belonging to the family Curculionidae. This species can be found in Brazil. This beetle is a pest species that feeds on cultivated coconuts.

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 sap. Likewise, adults will often damage the flowers and fruit tissues. Since both life stages of H. coriaceus promote the death of the coconut tree, it has been estimated to have reduced coconut production in Brazil by 50%.

Morphology

Black coconut bunch weevils are black and range between long with a rostrum of approximately, the mature larvae are white, curved, bigger than the adult-beetle with in length and display a rust-tinted head. The eggs laid on the floral peduncle are white, smooth, and elongated. This species has little to no sexual dimorphism, where females are a bit larger than males and have two subtle indentations on the pronotum.