Fossil History of Curculionoidea (Coleoptera) from the Paleogene

Currently, some 564 species of Curculionoidea from nine families (Nemonychidae-4, Anthribidae-33, Ithyceridae-3, Belidae-9, Rhynchitidae-41, Attelabidae-3, Brentidae-47, Curculionidae-384, Platypodidae-2, Scolytidae-37) are known from the Paleogene. Twenty-seven species are found in the Paleocene, 442 in the Eocene and 94 in the Oligocene. The greatest diversity of Curculionoidea is described from the Eocene of Europe and North America. The richest faunas are known from Eocene localities, Florissant (177 species), Baltic amber (124 species) and Green River formation (75 species). The family Curculionidae dominates in all Paleogene localities. Weevil species associated with herbaceous vegetation are present in most localities since the middle Paleocene. A list of Curculionoidea species and their distribution by location is presented.