Otiorhynchus (often spelt
Otiorrhynchus) is a large
genus of
weevils in the family
Curculionidae. Many species of the genus, particularly the
black vine weevil (
O. sulcatus) and the
strawberry root weevil (
O. ovatus), are important
pests, both as larvae and as adults. Larvae feed on plant roots. Adults are flightless with fused elytra and feed at night on plant foliage. In many species of the genus at least some
races are
polyploid and
parthenogenetic, while the rest of the races and species are
diploid and
bisexual.
Otiorhynchus weevils, particularly
O. scaber, have been a popular subject for studies of the evolution of parthenogenesis. The genus is native to the
Palearctic region. However, sixteen species were inadvertently introduced to
North America and have become widespread there. A number of species are
troglobites, cave-dwelling animals that lack eyes.