Brentidae

Brentidae is a family of beetles within the superfamily Curculionoidea, commonly known as straight-snouted weevils. The group comprises several hundred described species across multiple genera, distributed worldwide with the greatest diversity in tropical regions. In some classifications, Brentidae is treated as a subfamily (Brentinae) within Curculionidae, but most modern classifications recognize Brentidae as a distinct family.

Members of Brentidae are typically small to medium-sized and show an elongated body with a long rostrum (snout) used to probe plant tissue. The antennae are usually straight or only weakly elbowed, and life cycles vary by subfamily. The two main lineages are Apioninae (seed weevils) and Brentinae (the true brentids), with Apioninae many feeding on seeds and fruits, while Brentinae are often xylophagous or saproxylic, developing in wood, bark, stems, or decaying plant matter. Adults generally feed on plant material, and larvae develop inside their host tissue.

Geographic distribution is broad; species occur on all continents except Antarctica, with especially high diversity in the tropics. Habitats range from forests and woodlands to grasslands and agricultural areas, depending on the species.

Economic importance is limited but notable in some contexts: seed-infesting Apioninae can affect stored seeds or crops, and wood-boring Brentidae can be associated with timber decay. However, they are not as prominent as many other weevil groups in pest status.