Corthylus Erichson

Gomez, Demian F., Johnson, Andrew J. & Hulcr, Jiri, 2020, Potential pest bark and ambrosia beetles from Cuba not present in the continental United States, Florida Entomologist 103 (1), pp. 96-96 : 96-

Corthylus Erichson ( Coleoptera : Curculionidae )

Species within Corthylus ( Coleoptera : Curculionidae ) can be distinguished by the apparently absent antennal funicle (only 1 segment), the asymmetrical antennal club, and the raised line on the lateral margins of the pronotum ( Bright 2019). All species strictly feed on symbiotic ambrosia fungus, usually attacking cut or broken branches or twigs, with records of colonizing living trees ( Wood 2007). Some species,such as Corthylus columbianus Eichhoff ( Coleoptera : Curculionidae ), are of economic importance because they colonize the sapwood of healthy trees used for commercial purposes, and can lower the value by 25% ( Solomon 1995). Some of the recorded hosts include oaks ( Quercus ; Fagaceae ), maples ( Acer ; Sapindaceae ), sycamore ( Platanus occidentalis L.; Platanaceae ), poplar ( Populus ; Salicaceae ), elm ( Ulmus ; Ulmaceae ), and beech ( Fagus ; Fagaceae ),and while the beetle does not kill the host, the defects may seriously affect its use for veneer or structural purposes ( Burns 1970; Abrahamson & McCracken 1971). Other species such as Corthylus punctatissimus (Zimmermann) ( Coleoptera : Curculionidae ) attacks live saplings, especially maple, in the eastern USA.