Weevils - Entomological Society of Canada

contents. Larval development extends over 4-6 weeks. Pupation occurs
in the seeds (Tuttle 1954). Adults may be extremely abundant; hundreds
of specimens have been seen to emerge from only a few flower heads. The
Olivier collection has evidently been destroyed, and a neotype has not
been designated. The concept of this species follows that of Schoenherr
(1833).
Ap ion me lanari u m Gerstaecker
Figs.54,106, 107
Apion melanarium Gerstaecker, 1854:261 (holotype, "Nordamerika" ;
Humboldt University); Kissinger 1968:139; O'Brien and Wibmer L982:24.
Description. Length 2.0-2.5 mm. Body slender, black; antennae
slightly paler. Pubescence consisting of white, very fine, sparse scales.
Frons 1.0-1.3 times wider than tip of rostrum. Rostrum of male
moderately curved, 1.3-1.4 times longer than pronotum; sides, in dorsal
view, nearly parallel on apical half, depressed at apex, expanded at
antennal insertion; basal two-thirds frnely alutaceous and finely
punctured; tip smooth, with minute scales distal to antennal insertion.
Rostrum of female moderately curved, L.5-2.0 times as long as
pronotum; sides, in dorsal view, nearly parallel on apical half; surface on
basal five-sixths finely alutaceous, frnely punctured; tip smooth,
minutely punctured. Antennae inserted between basal 0.2 and 0.3 of
rostrum. Eyes moderately prominent. Pronotum at base 1.0-1.1 times
wider than long; sides slightly converging basally, rounded towards
middle; apex moderately constricted; disc slightly convex, with deep
punctures and very fine scales; interpuncture spaces finely alutaceous.
Elytra 1.4-1.6 times longer than wide; striae deep, with fine punctures;
interstriae more than twice as wide as striae, flat to slightly convex, each
interstria with 1 row of minute punctures bearing scales similar to those
on pronotum. Femora of male forelegs swollen; polished area lacking
distinct striae (Fig. 54); area with limiting lateral ridge evident. Tibiae
of male middle and hind legs mucronate.
Distribution. Ontario, south through the eastern United States
to Texas and Georgia, west to North Dakota. Ontario: Grimsby Beach,
Leamington, and Point Pelee.
Comments. This species is in the subgenus Fallapion..Adults are
distinguished by the characters in the key and in the diagnosis. The
biology of this species was studied by Tuttle (1954) in east central
Illinois. His observations are probably valid for southern Ontario. All
stages of development were found in stems of devil's beggarticks (Bidens
frondosa) and noddingbeggarticks (8. cernua). These plants grow either
t20