ABSTRACT
Status of the classification. At present there is continuing controversy over the classification of the members of this family. Alonso-Zarazaga and Lyal (1999) recognize Brentidae (including Brentinae, Cyphagoginae, Trachelizinae and Cyladinae) as distinct from Apionidae and Nanophyidae and accord each family level status. This system is different from others such as Lawrence (1982) which recognizes Brentidae (including Brentinae, Cyphagoginae and Trachelizinae) and Apionidae (including Apioninae, Nanophyinae and Cyladinae). The family level classification used here follows Lawrence and Newton (1995) and groups all of these taxa within Brentidae; however, at the subfamilial level, within Brentidae, the classification follows Alonso-Zarazaga and Lyal (1999). O’Brien and Wibmer (1982) provide a checklist of the North American species of Nanophyinae and species of Apioninae (all as Apion sensu lato).
