Biology:Moanus
Moanus is a genus of flower weevils endemic to New Zealand.
Description
Moanus weevils can be distinguished from those of related genera by their distinctly elongated legs and a head that is longer than or equal in length to the rostrum. In males, the aedeagus (reproductive organ) is symmetrical. The weevils are generally patchy black, brown, and beige in colour. They have been collected from a variety of plants.[1]
Distribution
Moanus brevipennis, M. nigrosparsus, and M. tumulus are only found on the South Island; M. lawsoni is found on the North, South, and Mangere (Chathams) islands.[1]
Taxonomy
The genus was erected in 2024, to include species previously classified in Stephanorhynchus. Moanus includes the following species:[1]
- Moanus lawsoni (Sharp, 1876)
- Moantus tumulus Mazur & Brown, 2024
The name, Moanus, is a Latinization of a Māori word, moana, or 'ocean', in reference to a swirling pattern of scales on the elytra.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Mazur, M. A.; Brown, S. D. J. (2024-01-02). "A review of the genus Stephanorhynchus White, 1846 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Eugnomini), with a description of three new genera and one new species from New Zealand" (in en). The European Zoological Journal 91 (1): 457–549. doi:10.1080/24750263.2024.2319789. ISSN 2475-0263. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/24750263.2024.2319789.
Wikidata ☰ Q137831897 entry
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