obtectus

Obtectus is a Latin adjective meaning covered, concealed, or protected. In scientific naming, obtectus is used as a species epithet and must agree in gender with the genus, appearing in masculine (obtectus), feminine (obtecta), or neuter (obtectum) forms.

The most widely known use of the term as a species epithet is Acanthoscelides obtectus, the bean weevil. This small beetle (often a few millimeters in length) is a member of the subfamily Bruchinae and is a notable stored-product pest of legumes, especially beans. It is native to the Americas but has spread globally through trade. The life cycle includes eggs laid on seeds, larvae that develop inside the seeds, and adults that emerge to continue the cycle. Infested beans lose quality and viability, posing significant agricultural and economic impacts.

Beyond Acanthoscelides obtectus, obtectus (and its gendered variants) appears in other taxonomic names across plants and animals, reflecting a descriptive intention by the original describer—often alluding to a “covered” or protected characteristic. However, the epithet’s use varies by genus and is not tied to a single diagnostic trait.

In taxonomy and nomenclature, obtectus exemplifies how Latin adjectives are employed to convey a characteristic in a species name and how gender agreement governs its form. While the bean weevil is the most prominent example, the epithet’s application spans multiple taxa, illustrating the broad, language-based conventions underlying scientific naming.