Levent Gültekin

Allolarinus, a new genus and species of Lixini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Lixinae) from Congo

Abstract A new weevil genus, Allolarinus n. gen., with type species, Allolarinus demeyeri n. sp., is described from Congo in the tribe Lixini. The illustrations and diagnostic characteristics of this genus have been presented in a table and figure plates. This new genus is related to Larinus Dejean in terms of the type of elytra and general shape of the prothorax but clearly differs from Larinus with respect to its tooth-bearing femora and granulose pronotum. The trapezoidal short-neck prothorax and general shape of the elytra of this new genus are similar to those of Larinus; the granulose pronotum to that of Lixomorphus Faust; the dentate femora to that of Holcolixus Voss, Erilixus Voss, and Sublarinus Petri; while the existing cubito-anal vein on metathoracic wings to those of Allolixus Voss.

Larval morphology of the capitulum weevil, Larinus latus (Herbst) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

Abstract The mature larva of Larinus latus (Herbst) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), a potential biological control agent for Onopordum spp. thistles introduced into Australia in 1992 for that purpose, is described and its taxonomically relevant features are illustrated.

The life history of the capitulum weevil, Larinus latus (Herbst) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

Abstract The biology of Larinus latus (Herbst) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae), a weevil associated to one of the most serious pasture weeds in Turkey, Onopordum bracteatum, has been studied in Erzurum during 1999–2001. Adults migrated to lowlands at the beginning of June and fed on the leaves, capitula, and pollen of O. bracteatum. Females laid eggs on bracts, in the florets, and in stems of capitula. The larvae hatched at the beginning of July and fed on the base of capitula, florets, and seed. Mature larvae produced pupal cells in the margins of capitula and then pupated after the third week of July. The new generation of adults emerged from pupae from early August to the beginning of September, and 3–5 days after emergence migrated to higher altitudes approximately 2400 m for overwintering. The species completed one generation per year in Erzurum conditions.

Two new species of Larinus Dejean from North Africa (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), with a key to the striped Larinus (s.str.)

Summary Two new sibling species, Larinus synthesys n. sp. from Algeria, and Larinus boroveci n. sp. from Algeria and Morocco, are described. Both species are tentatively assigned to the subgenus Larinus based on resemblance to species having longitudinal stripes on the elytra and rostrum. L. synthesys n. sp. is the smallest species in Larinus (s. str.) and is closely related to L. boroveci n. sp. The lectotype of Larinus cardopatii Lucas, 1847 is designated and redescribed. An illustrated key to the striped Larinus (s. str.) is given.