Host plants of Palaearctic weevils of the Lixus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The range of the breeding hosts of 59 species of the Lixus genus includes the plants of 11 dicot families. Host range of 22 species was identified or confirmed during original observations. Hosts of six species firstly recorded. Therefore, reliable data on the larval trophic links of Palaearctic species are summarized. The greatest numbers of species of Lixus are linked with Apiaceae (33.9%), Asteraceae (20.0%), and Amaranthaceae (18.6%). All species except L. pulverulentus are oligophagous. Each of two Lixus subgenera is associated with the sole plant family: all Callistolixus develop in Apiaceae, and Epimeces—in Asteraceae. Almost all Lixus are associated with herbaceous plants. The majority of hosts are herbs which occur in ruderal habitats. The dispersal of Lixus and their hosts are discussed and feeding specialization of Lixus and Larinus Dejean are compared as well. The synoptical list of Lixus and their breeding hosts added as an Appendix. This review summarizes more than 130 sources in the biological literature, published from the 1880s till now, which contain valid information on the host plants of the Lixus species. Some long-term field observations by the author are included as well.