Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00410
Puncturevine Stem Weevil
Microlarinus lypriformis
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About Puncturevine Stem Weevil
Puncturevine Stem Weevil (Microlarinus lypriformis) belongs to Curculionidae in the order Coleoptera. Its recorded origin status is introduced — biocontrol.
Natural history and identification
The puncturevine stem weevil develops inside stems of Tribulus terrestris. It has been used for biological control and differs in feeding site from the puncturevine seed weevil, M. lareynii. Host testing reported egg laying on Zygophyllum fabago without successful completion of larval development, illustrating why egg deposition alone is not proof of a full developmental host.
Kauaʻi occurrence and evidence
Atlas occurrence category: Present. 2026 catalog: Distribution Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Hawaiʻi; puncturevine stem weevil.
Account coverage
Published species details have been added. A complete Kauaʻi-specific account of identification, habitat, feeding, reproduction, and population trend is not yet established by the sources linked here.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Microlarinus lypriformis
- Common names
- Puncturevine Stem Weevil
- Family
- Curculionidae
- Order
- Coleoptera
- Record type
- species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Present
- Origin
- Introduced — biocontrol
- Conservation status
- Not assessed
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal description
- Puncturevine Stem Weevil (Microlarinus lypriformis) belongs to Curculionidae in the order Coleoptera. Its recorded origin status is introduced — biocontrol.