Liometophilus
There is a single species, Liometopum manni of myrmecophilous weevil in Arizona in the nests of Liometopum apiculatum.
Liometophilus manni | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Beetle |
Suborder: | Polyphaga |
Family: | Curculionidae |
Genus: | Liometophilus |
Species: | L. manni |
Binomial name | |
Liometophilus manni Fall, 1912 |
Diagnosis
Description
Dark brown, elytra with a subbasal and post-median transverse fascia in which the scales are paler; beak and prothorax finely granulose, each granule bearing a rounded appressed scale; beak also with numerous short, stout, erect scales. Prothorax with anterior margin reflexed, slightly notched at apex and bearing together with the diseal and elytral eostm a single line of longer erect scales; disk of prothorax behind the transverse groove densely scaly and with a median impressed line. Elytra with rows of coarse punctures, somewhat as in Areosehizua; scales appressed except on the summits of the eostve. Legs clothed like the beak with appressed and short, stout, erect scales. Other characters as in the generic description, or in the figures. Length 3.5 mm.; width 1.2 mm.
Distribution
United States: Arizona (type from Ramsey Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains). Liometophilus manni Fall, this weevil is a mymecophile living in the nest of the ant Liometopum apiculatum Mayr. Rare in collections, with the type series of 2 specimens found in the runways of different colonies in Ramsey Canyon. Also found on the undersides of stones covering the entrance to the ant's nest. I have seen specimens from the Huachuca Mts., Chiricahua Mts., and Dragoon Mts. in AZ; Grant County NM; and Hidalgo Mexico, always in small numbers. "Charles O'Brien"
Biology
Found resting under rocks covering nests of Liometopum apiculatum. Mostly found around 2,000 meters elevation in forests dominated by oak trees. The type was collected by William M. Mann in Ramsey Canyon, Huachuca Mountains, Arizona on August 15, 1910 in runways of Liometopum apiculatum.