Anthonomus elutus is a weevil native to Central America

Central America

Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...

. It was first found on a on wetland nightshade (Solanum tampicence Dunal (Solanaceae

Solanaceae

Solanaceae are a family of flowering plants that include a number of important agricultural crops as well as many toxic plants. The name of the family comes from the Latin Solanum "the nightshade plant", but the further etymology of that word is unclear...

) in Monterrico, Departamento Santa Rosa, Guatemala

Guatemala

Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...

in February 2006.

A. elutus is being investigated for use a potential biocontrol agent in Florida, which is suffering from an invasion on S. tampicence in wetland habitats. Tests conducted in Gainsville indicated that the weevil was highly specific to S. tampicence.