The family Nemonychidae is one of the most evolutionarily ancient and primitive groups of weevils (Curculionoidea). It is a relatively small family, comprising only a few dozen extant species, which are distributed mainly in Australasia, South America and, to a lesser extent, in the Palearctic and Nearctic regions. They are classified among the so-called primitive weevils because they have straight, rather than geniculate, antennae, whilst the upper lip (labrum) is clearly separated from the clypeus and the maxillary mandibles are conspicuously long and protruding. Most species are closely associated with coniferous trees, particularly those of the families Araucariaceae, Podocarpaceae and Pinaceae. Both adults and larvae feed primarily on pollen, which they consume from the male cones or inflorescences of host plants. The larvae develop directly within the pollen organs of the plants and, upon completion of their development, pupate in the soil. Fossil finds indicate that this line of beetles has existed since the Jurassic period, making it one of the oldest known branches of weevils.

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Nemonyx lepturoides