Larinus
Larinus is a genus of true weevils, comprising about 180 species, mostly in the Palaearctic region with some species introduced to North America.
Turkey appears to have a significant diversity of the group, with more than 50 species recorded in the eastern part of the country.
Several of these beetles are used as agents of biological pest control against noxious weeds. They feed on flower heads, destroying the developing seeds of the weeds.
Description
In simple terms, Larinus are black weevils with stocky bodies. They are rounded and slightly oblate dorsoventrally. They are covered in sparse hairs.According to a more detailed description, Larinus are stocky in shape unlike the related genus Lixus. The rostrum is almost always shorter than the pronotum or as long as the pronotum. There are antennal furrows on the rostrum and these do not extend forward to the tip. The eyes are flat or slightly bulging. The pronotum is always transverse and strongly narrowed towards the front. On the sides of the pronotum are light gray or yellowish hairs. The elytra are short, usually about 1.5 times as long as their total width. The apices of the elytra are rounded together. In fresh specimens, the elytra are mottled with irregular patches of pale hairs. The legs are short and robust.
Ecology
Larvae of Larinus live in flower heads of plants in the family Asteraceae. They consume ovarioles, achenes and receptacle tissue. They also pupate in flower heads. Adults feed on leaves, stems, flowers, buds, peduncles and possibly pollen of their host plants.Species
These species belong to the genus Larinus:Larinus araxicola Gultekin, 2006Larinus bombycinus Lucas, H., 1847 gLarinus brevis Larinus bronni Heyden, C. von & Heyden, L. von., 1866 gLarinus byrrhinus gLarinus cardopatii Lucas, H., 1847 gLarinus carlinae Olivier, 1807 gLarinus carthami Olivier, 1807 gLarinus centaurea Oliver, 1807Larinus centaurii Olivier, 1807 gLarinus cuniculus Olivier, 1807 gLarinus curtus Hochhuth, 1851 b Larinus cylindrus Hoffmann, 1963 gLarinus cynarae gLarinus filiformis PetriLarinus flavescens Larinus gigasLarinus gravidus Olivier, 1807 gLarinus grisescens Gyllenhal Larinus hierolosymae Desbrochers, 1896 gLarinus iaceae gLarinus jaceae gLarinus latus gLarinus longirostris Foerster, B., 1891 gLarinus minutus Gyllenhal, 1835 b Larinus nanus Lucas, H., 1847 gLarinus numidicus Desbrochers, 1892 gLarinus obtusus Sturm, 1826 b Larinus ochreatus Schoenherr, 1835 gLarinus onopordi gLarinus orientalis Capiomont, 1874Larinus planus i g b Larinus pollinis gLarinus scolymi Germar, 1824 gLarinus senilis Fabricius, 1801 gLarinus serratulae Capiomont, 1874 gLarinus sibiricusLarinus sturnus Schaller, 1783 gLarinus turbinatus Gyllenhal, 1835 bLarinus ursus Germar, 1824 gLarinus vulpes Olivier, 1807 gData sources: i = ITIS, g = GBIF, b = Bugguide.net