Sri Lanka Weevil

bugman

December 16th, 2011 at 10:38 am

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What’s this white bug….
Location: Naples, FL
December 15, 2011 12:55 pm
I have found a few of these white ”ladybug” type insects on my Hybiscus tree in Naples FL. It is December (winter in Paradise). They are about the size of a small ladybug….it doesn’t look like they have eaten any of the leaves…you have to zoom in to see it better.
Signature: SherrieB

Sri Lanka Weevil

Dear SherrieB,
This appears to be a Little Leaf Notcher Weevil, Artipus floridanus, a native species found in “hammock, pineland, mangrove” and considered to be “a minor pest of Citrus and other plants” according to BugGuide. We wish your photo was a closer view because we cannot, however, discount that this might actually be an invasive species, the Sri Lanka Weevil or Yellow-headed Ravenous Weevil, Myllocerus undecimpustulatus, which is also pictured on BugGuide where it is stated: “in FL, recorded from 55 host plant spp., from palms to roadside weeds, including citrus.”

Thanks, I believe that the head is white, so it’sprobably a Little Leaf Notcher Weevil….I checked it with a magnifying glass. I appreciate your time SherrieB

Hi again SherrieB,
A reader just left a comment that this is the Sri Lanka Weevil. We have requested additional information.

I like This

Comments 4

mct5548 wrote:
This is actually Myllocerus.
Posted 16 Dec 2011 at 3:27 pm ¶
bugman wrote:
Can you provide the distinguishing features please.
Posted 16 Dec 2011 at 10:08 pm ¶
vespidae wrote:
I concur with mct5548, this is Myllocerus undecimpustulatus.
Posted 19 Dec 2011 at 3:24 am ¶
mct5548 wrote:
Myllocerus possesses femoral spines and a distinct humeral angle of the elytra. Artipus has no femoral spines and the humerus is rounded. Many Myllocerus have yellowish heads but it is a variable character.
Posted 10 Jan 2012 at 5:13 pm ¶