Neochetina

      Neochetina
      Scientific classification
      Kingdom: Animalia
      Phylum: Arthropoda
      Class: Insecta
      Order: Coleoptera
      Suborder: Polyphaga
      Family: Curculionidae
      Genus: Neochetina
      Hustache, 1926
      Species

      N. eichhorniae
      N. bruchi

      Neochetina is a genus of weevils known as water hyacinth weevil which are native to South America.

      Neochetina feed almost exclusively on the highly vigorous water hyacinth. There are at least two species: N. eichhorniae or mottled water hyacinth wevil which gets its name from the plant it feeds on (Eichhorniae spp.) and N. bruchi or chevroned water hyacinth wevil which is characterized by a chevron–shaped marking on its back.

      Both weevils have been introduced extensively in countries around the world to help control water hyacinth growth which threatens to choke numerous waterways and lakes worldwide.

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      Last modified on 15 March 2013, at 10:13