Exophthalmus cupreipes Champion (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Citrus Crops in Mexico

Exophthalmus cupreipes Champion (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) adult weevils were detected feeding on young leaves and shoots of Persian limes (Citrus latifolia [Tanaka ex Yu. Tanaka] Tanaka; Rutaceae) in commercial plantations in the states of Veracruz and Tabasco, Mexico. Weevil damage to foliage is apparently not significant enough to cause production losses. However, there are reports of related species included in the Exophthalmus genus complex that are considered primary pests of agriculturally important citruses. This study complements the original description by Champion (1911) for adults of both sexes, and provides images of external and internal structures useful for its identification. Moreover, field observations of damage on citrus are presented, and the potential importance as a pest is discussed.