Revision of broad-nosed weevil genus Thecesternus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in North America

In North America, the broad-nosed weevil genus Thecesternus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) is represented by 7 species that primarily occur in the Great Plains physiographic province. The taxonomic treatment of this genus has not been revisited since the turn of the century, and little is known about the species’ biology, habits, and life cycles. Using the current key by Pierce, species of Thecesternus are difficult to identify due to extensive variation and lack of available, and distinct, morphological characters. In this study, I evaluate previous morphological characters, elucidate species limits, delineate variation and provide a user-friendly key for identification. The new key will contain detailed species descriptions, photographs of specimens, genitalia illustrations, distribution maps and notes on biology.