TITLE:
Diversity and Morphometrics of Palm Weevils of the Genus Rhynchophorus in Maniema Province, Democratic Republic of Congo
AUTHORS:
Angundji Yumbi Chérif, Muhigwa Bahananga Jean-Berckmans, Manga Tshomba Joseph, Dieudonné Cikwanine, Murhabale Cisirika Bertin
KEYWORDS:
Inventory, Diversity, Morphometrics, Palm Weevils
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Entomology,
Vol.13 No.1,
January
26,
2025
ABSTRACT: An inventory of Rhynchophorus species was carried out to determine their diversity, biogeographical variability and morphometrics. A shotgun trapping method was used at nine sites in three districts over a four-month period, identifying three species: R. quadrangulus, R. phoenicis, R. ferrugineus and a probable variant of R. phoenicis. Of these species, R. phoenicis stands out as the most widespread palm weevil, while the probable variant of R. phoenicis is considered the rarest subspecies in the Maniema region. The color of the head and elytra is a criterion for distinguishing the different species of Rhynchophorus spp. Morphological criteria indicate that the probable subspecies of R. phoenicis is the largest palm weevil in the Maniema region and even globally. It is followed by R. quadrangulus and, by far, by R. phoenicis. The smallest palm weevil in Maniema is R. ferrugineus. Moreover, these criteria reveal that, for all three species identified, the female is generally larger than the male. This study has the merit of extending the distribution of R. ferrugineus from the Maghreb to the central East of the DRC, and highlighting a subspecies of R. phoenicis. Recognition of the sexes on the basis of the shape of the tip of the abdomen (oval in the male and flat in the female) is an additional contribution.