A survey of the primitive weevils of Wisconsin (Coleoptera: Orthoceri)

The objective of this research has been to conduct a statewide survey of Wisconsin’s four families of primitive weevils (Nemonychidae, Anthribidae, Attelabidae and Brentidae) in order to provide a baseline for the Wisconsin diversity, phenology and geographical distribution of the surveyed taxa, as well as to document natural history, including fungal/plant and microhabitat associations.    At the onset of the study, the UW Insect Research Collection (WIRC) contained 29 genera and 54 species from Wisconsin. This resource along with insights from the scientific literature and specimens in the collection housed at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources suggested a preliminary potential for the Wisconsin fauna to approach 33 genera and 72 species.  After two field seasons and scrutinizing identification efforts, the number of genera stands at 40 with 80 species confirmed. The most speciose family is Brentidae (43 species) followed by Anthribidae (20 species), Attelabidae (15 species) and Nemonychidae (2 species). To date, the survey has also added numerous records to the historically under-sampled northern half of Wisconsin. A specimen-level database is being created using the relational database Specify, voucher specimens from the project are being permanently housed in the WIRC, and taxonomic keys and species profiles are being constructed.