Nicentrus Saccharinus Marshall, A Potential Sugarcane Pest Recently Introduced Into Florida

Marshall (1951) described Nicentrus saccharinus from specimens collected at Aguadulce, Panama in sugarcane. The only subsequent literature record I have found is the listing of it (Frank & Bennett, 1970) on sugarcane in Jamaica.

On april 15, 1972, during the course of rearing another recently introduced weevil (Microlarinus lypriformis Wollaston) from puncture vine (Tribulus cistoides l.), C. E. Stegmaier, Jr. collected a single nicentrus. Subsequently R. E. Warner identified this specimen as N. saccharinus. It was taken from plants collected at the Miami International Airport. Subsequent surveys by USDA and Florida Department of Agriculture personnel have revealed that N. saccharinus is established in south Florida in several common grasses.