''Acanthoscelides'' is a genus of bean weevils of the subfamily Bruchinae. They are native to the New World. About one third of them can be found in Mexico.Nápoles, J. R. and J. M. Kingsolver. (2009)
A new species of ''Acanthoscelides'' Schilsky (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) from Mexico with some biological notes.
''Neotropical Entomology'' 38(4), 497-500. In 1946 this genus was populated with at least 322 species transferred from other genera, mainly '' Bruchus''. Some of these were later placed into other genera.Kingsolver, J. M
''Handbook of the Bruchidae of the United States and Canada (Insecta, Coleoptera)'', Volume I.
Technical Bulletin 1912. USDA ARS. 2004. pg. 89. Estimates of the current number of named species range from about 300Alvarez, N., et al. (2006)
Phylogenetic relationships in the Neotropical bruchid genus ''Acanthoscelides'' (Bruchinae, Bruchidae, Coleoptera).
''Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research'' 44(1) 63-74. to 340, and there are over 200 undescribed species. These beetles are generally 1.1 to 3.5 millimeters long. They have large, protruding eyes, and males often have larger eyes than females. They sometimes also have longer antennae. The elytra are about twice as long as they are wide. The beetles of this genus are diverse and the characters used to classify them are not well defined; historically, ''Acanthoscelides'' is a wastebasket taxon, "used as a genus into which species are placed that do not fit within the limits of other genera". Most of these beetles feed on

legume A legume () is a plant in the family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae), or the fruit or seed of such a plant. When used as a dry grain, the seed is also called a pulse. Legumes are grown agriculturally, primarily for human consumption, for livestock f ...

s. The majority specialize on Faboideae, many on

Mimosoideae The Mimosoideae are a traditional subfamily of trees, herbs, lianas, and shrubs in the pea family (Fabaceae) that mostly grow in tropical and subtropical climates. They are typically characterized by having radially symmetric flowers, with petals ...

, and fewer on

Caesalpinioideae Caesalpinioideae is a botanical name at the rank of subfamily, placed in the large family Fabaceae or Leguminosae. Its name is formed from the generic name ''Caesalpinia''. It is known also as the peacock flower subfamily. The Caesalpinioideae ...

. Some are known from non-legume host plants, such as mallows. Familiar species include ''Acanthoscelides obtectus'', a worldwide pest of

bean A bean is the seed of several plants in the family Fabaceae, which are used as vegetables for human or animal food. They can be cooked in many different ways, including boiling, frying, and baking, and are used in many traditional dishes th ...

s, and ''Acanthoscelides macrophthalmus'', which is employed as an agent of

biological pest control Biological control or biocontrol is a method of controlling pests, such as insects, mites, weeds, and plant diseases, using other organisms. It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or other natural mechanisms, but typically also invo ...

against the invasive tree ''

Leucaena leucocephala ''Leucaena leucocephala'' is a small fast-growing Mimosoideae, mimosoid tree native to southern Mexico and northern Central America (Belize and Guatemala) and is now naturalized throughout the tropics including parts of Asia. Common names inc ...

''.

Species

Species include: *''

Acanthoscelides aequalis ''Acanthoscelides'' is a genus of bean weevils of the subfamily Bruchinae. They are native to the New World. About one third of them can be found in Mexico.Nápoles, J. R. and J. M. Kingsolver. (2009)A new species of ''Acanthoscelides'' Schilsky ...

'' *'' Acanthoscelides alboscutellatus'' (

Horn Horn most often refers to: *Horn (acoustic), a conical or bell shaped aperture used to guide sound ** Horn (instrument), collective name for tube-shaped wind musical instruments *Horn (anatomy), a pointed, bony projection on the head of various ...

, 1873) *'' Acanthoscelides atomus'' *''

Acanthoscelides aureolus ''Acanthoscelides aureolus'' is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae The insects of the beetle family Chrysomelidae are commonly known as leaf beetles, and include over 37,000 (and probably at least 50,000) species in more tha ...

'' (

, 1873) *'' Acanthoscelides baboquivari'' *'' Acanthoscelides bisignatus'' *''

Acanthoscelides biustulus ''Acanthoscelides biustulus'' is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae The insects of the beetle family Chrysomelidae are commonly known as leaf beetles, and include over 37,000 (and probably at least 50,000) species in more th ...

'' (Fall, 1910) *''

Acanthoscelides calvus ''Acanthoscelides calvus'' is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae The insects of the beetle family Chrysomelidae are commonly known as leaf beetles, and include over 37,000 (and probably at least 50,000) species in more than ...

'' (

, 1873) *''

Acanthoscelides chiricahuae ''Acanthoscelides chiricahuae'' is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in Central America and North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Wester ...

'' (Fall, 1910) *''

Acanthoscelides compressicornis ''Acanthoscelides compressicornis'' is a species of leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in Central America and North America North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the We ...

'' (Schaeffer, 1907) *''

Acanthoscelides comstocki ''Acanthoscelides'' is a genus of bean weevils of the subfamily Bruchinae. They are native to the New World. About one third of them can be found in Mexico.Nápoles, J. R. and J. M. Kingsolver. (2009)A new species of ''Acanthoscelides'' Schil ...

'' *''

Acanthoscelides daleae ''Acanthoscelides'' is a genus of bean weevils of the subfamily Bruchinae. They are native to the New World. About one third of them can be found in Mexico.Nápoles, J. R. and J. M. Kingsolver. (2009)A new species of ''Acanthoscelides'' Schil ...

'' *''

Acanthoscelides desmanthi ''Acanthoscelides'' is a genus of bean weevils of the subfamily Bruchinae. They are native to the New World. About one third of them can be found in Mexico.Nápoles, J. R. and J. M. Kingsolver. (2009)A new species of ''Acanthoscelides'' Schil ...

'' *'' Acanthoscelides distinguendus'' Acanthoscelides longescutus

*'' Acanthoscelides flavescens'' *'' Acanthoscelides floridae'' *'' Acanthoscelides fraterculus'' *'' Acanthoscelides fumatus'' *'' Acanthoscelides griseolus'' *'' Acanthoscelides helianthemum'' *''

Acanthoscelides herissantitus ''Acanthoscelides'' is a genus of bean weevils of the subfamily Bruchinae. They are native to the New World. About one third of them can be found in Mexico.Nápoles, J. R. and J. M. Kingsolver. (2009)A new species of ''Acanthoscelides'' Schil ...

'' *'' Acanthoscelides inquisitus'' *'' Acanthoscelides kingsolveri'' *'' Acanthoscelides lobatus'' *'' Acanthoscelides longistilus'' *'' Acanthoscelides macrophthalmus'' *'' Acanthoscelides margaretae'' *'' Acanthoscelides mixtus'' *'' Acanthoscelides modestus'' *'' Acanthoscelides mundulus'' *'' Acanthoscelides napensis'' *'' Acanthoscelides oblongoguttatus'' *'' Acanthoscelides obrienorum'' *'' Acanthoscelides obsoletus'' *''

Acanthoscelides obtectus ''Acanthoscelides obtectus'', the bean weevil, is a species of bruchid beetle. The species was described in 1831 by Thomas Say. Bean weevils feed primarily on the seeds of common beans but also feed on the seeds of peas, vetches, and many o ...

References

External links

{{Authority control Chrysomelidae genera Bruchinae