Geographic range expansion of Oxyops vitiosa (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to the Bahamian archipelago

Abstract

The Australian weevil Oxyops vitiosais a specialized herbivore of Melaleuca quinquenervia and closely related congeners. The weevil was intentionally introduced into Florida, USA in 1997 and was recently discovered on the Bahamian island of New Providence, some 300 km east, feeding on naturalized M. quinquenervia trees. The weevil has colonized M. quinquenervia stands in the southern part of the island and is expected to spread to all invaded habitats. Oxyops vitiosa is unlikely to harm native plant species but will affect ornamental landscape plantings of M. quinquenervia.