Diversity of Pachyrynchini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) in Mt. Kiamo, Malaybalay, Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines

A field survey of weevils of the tribe Pachyrynchini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) was conducted in Mt. Kiamo, Malaybalay, Bukidnon last December of 2015 to December, 2016. Field sampling was performed using a combination of belt transect, opportunistic and random sampling techniques. Field investigations were done in two vegetation types with elevation from 750-1,500 meters above sea level (masl), which include the lower montane (750-1,000 masl) and upper montane (1,000-1,500 masl) forests. Baseline data on species richness and local distribution were documented. A total of 239 individuals belonging to 20 species and 3 genera viz., Pachyrhynchus, Homalocyrtus and Metapocyrtus were collected from the two vegetation types. The upper montane forest had higher species richness with 12 species as compared to the lower montane forest with 10 species. Only 2 species were shared between the lower and upper montane. Species composition of Pachyrynchini in Mt. Kiamo is unique from that of Mt. Apo and Mt. Malindang. In addition, recent distribution records of the Pachyrynchini found in Mt. Kiamo identified to the species level were provided. This is the only update on distributional record of these species since Schultze monograph in 1923. The results of the survey show that the richness of Pachyrynchini in Mt. Kiamo is high despite the anthropogenic disturbances it experiences. It is recommended that this mountain ecosystem be declared as protected area in order to conserve the endemic and threatened species and ecosystem as a whole.