Pest species of the genus Oribius Marshall (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Papua New Guinea.

Abstract

The genus Oribius Marshall (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) contains a number of important agricultural pest species within PNG. Unfortunately, the taxonomy of the group is poorly known and current and future agricultural research is limited by the inability to identify these insects. As an aid to applied research, and future taxonomic studies, a preliminary assessment of the genus Oribius was undertaken. Oribius contains 25 formally described species and a further 30 species, provisionally placed in the genus. The status of these provisionally placed species remains uncertain. Seven pest species are identified from Papua New Guinea, five which were confirmed to species level (O. cinereus Marshall, O. cruciatus (Faust), O. destructor Marshall, O. improvidus Marshall, O. inimicus Marshall) and two which may be new (Oribius sp. near leucopleurus (Faust) and Oribius sp 1). A diagnosis for each of these seven species is provided, as is a key for their identification.