Geographical Distribution and New Host Associations of Rhyssomatus subtilis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Northwestern in Argentina

SUMMARY Rhyssomatus subtilis, the black soybean weevil, has emerged as a major pest of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. (Fabales: Fabaceae)] in northwestern Argentina during the last 3 yr. This species was detected in 30 localities of Salta, Santiago del Estero and Tucumán provinces comprising a total area of about 541,000 ha. This species was observed for the first time developing on dry bean [Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fabales: Fabaceae)] crops and feeding on 3 unrelated weeds [Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist (Asterales: Asteraceae), Brassica campestris (L.) Metzg. (Brassicales: Brassicaceae) and Sphaeralcea bonariensis (Cav.) Griseb (Malvales: Malvaceae)]. The damage produced by R. subtilis in dry bean crops is similar to that produced in soybean crops. The results obtained suggest that as of 2012, R. subtilis has greatly expanded its distribution since its first detection in 2006 and produces major direct and indirect damage in soybean and dry bean crops in northwestern Argentina.