Neochetina eichhorniae Warner, 1970: 487 O’Brien, 1976: 169- 170 Wright, 1980: 529- 535 Aquatic Coleoptera Of Singapore: Species Richness, Ecology And Conservation # Hendrich, Lars Balke, Michael Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 2004 52 1 97 145 46CSC Warner, 1970 Warner 1970 [915,1350,1040,1065] Insecta Brachyceridae Neochetina Animalia Coleoptera 35 132 Arthropoda species eichhorniae      Neochetina eichhorniae Warner, 1970: 487;  O’Brien, 1976: 169- 170; DeLoach & Cordo, 1976: 643-652;  Wright, 1980: 529- 535.   Material examined. – 2 specimens– Other areas -  2 ex., Lorong Banir, pond 1,  14 Jul.1995, NS 200, coll. H. K. Luaet al. ( ZRC).   Distribution. –Argentina, west to the Andes, north to Panama and Trinidad and in southeastern Mexico. Introduced into the United States, Australia (Northern Territories and Queensland) and Southeast Asia as a biological control agent for the control of water hyacinth,  Eichhornia crassipes( O’Brien, 1976; Wright, 1980).  Singapore!   Ecology. –All of the six species of the New World genus  Neochetinaare believed to be semi-aquatic and possess specialized aquatic adaptations including hydrofuge hairs and scales.  Neochetina eichhorniaeis known to breed in waterhyacinth,  Eichhornia crassipesand  E. azurea(Sw.) Kunth ( Warner, 1970). The life cycle and biology of  N. eichhorniaehave been described in detail by DeLoach & Cordo (1976). Adult weevils feed on the leaves and the larvae tunnel into petioles and crowns. Larval tunnelling is usually followed by rotting of the plant tissues and can result in death of the plant. The species is known to be primarily nocturnal in habit and is also attracted by light ( O’Brien, 1976).    Remarks. –Water hyacinth  Eichhornia crassipesSolmsis a free-floating aquatic plant that was introduced into the United States, Africa, New Guinea, Australiaand many parts of Southeast Asia from its native home in South America ( Brazil) as an ornamental plant in garden ponds. In Singaporeit was introduced in 1893 from Hong Kong. It has since reproduced beyond control to become a serious aquatic weed in many countries where it completely covers slow-flowing streams, canals, and small lakes, and blocks the passage of boats. Since mechanical and chemical controls are expensive, pollute the water and require repeated applications, several Neotropical insects, feeding on  Eichhornia, have been used as biological control agents (DeLoach & Cordo, 1976; Wright, 1980).  Neochetina eichhorniaewas first introduced to Thailandin the 1970’s and later spread to Peninsular Malaysia(Wright pers. comm.). 1995-07-14 ZRC Lorong Banir & H. K. Lua 35 132 2