https://doi.org/10.62249/jmds.2013.2434

Species Occurrence of Weevils in the Northern Part of Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park, Philippines

¹Hanira B. Abubacar, ²Emmarie F. Mapi-ot, ²Bobby B. Alaman, ²Jersam Calago, ^1,3Yunalyn L. Villantes, ²Grace V. Villanueva

¹Natural Science Department, College of Arts and Sciences, Ozamiz City, Philippines
²Misamis University Community Extension Program, Misamis University, Ozamiz City, Philippines
³Misamis University Research Center, Misamis University, Ozamiz City, Philippines
Corresponding author: Hanira B. Abubacar, email: abubacarhanira99@gmail.com

Weevils are small beetles with long, narrow snouts which is a characteristic of insects belonging to the Curculionidae family. A study on the species composition of weevils was conducted in the northern part of Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park last February 2023. Field investigations were done using a combination of transect walk and opportunistic sampling. A total of 195 individuals of weevils were recorded, comprising seventeen (17) species belonging to two (2) genera- Metapocyrtus and Alcidodes . Metapocyrtus malindangensis was observed in all sampling sites. Site 1 (Gandawan) had the highest species richness (N=13), and the highest species diversity (H’=2.016) was recorded in Site 2 (Lake Duminagat). Cluster analysis showed that weevil species in Lake Duminagat and Uluhan sa Dapitan have closer similarities. The study also recorded unidentified specimens that are potentially new to science. It is highly recommended that more explorations should be conducted to record the species occurrence of weevils in other parts of Mt. Malindang.

Keywords :   Curculionidae, endemic, Metapocyrtus, opportunisti