Naupactus leucoloma is one of the best known species of the tribe Naupactini, due to its economic importance in the countries where it was accidentally introduced from South America. It belongs to the N. leucoloma species group and is close to N. minor and N. peregrinus(Lanteri & Marvaldi 1995). The three species are flightless and commonly known as white-fringed weevils, because they are brown-grey, with a distinct marginal white stripe from head to apex of elytra; the scutellum is also white, and the pronotum usually has five slender stripes (along midline, sides and margins). It mainly differentiates from N. minor because is usually larger, with longer suberect setae on pronotum and elytra, and corbels of the hind tibiae absents. Both have suboval scales and setae of the pronotum anteriorly directed.

The first instar and mature larvae have been described by Marvaldi & Loiácono (1994), and Marvaldi (1998); eggs and oviposition type, by Marvaldi (1999).
Naupactus leucoloma is parthenogenetic in most of its range, and is infected with the bacterium Wolbachia (Rodriguero et al. 2010a). Its potential geographical distribution outside South America was assessed by niche modeling techniques (Guzmán et al. 2012).

There are about 385 known hosts for Naupactus leucoloma, including ornamentals, fruit trees, horticultural and industrial crops, and forage. According to Kuschel (1972, 1990) it shows preferences for legumes, particularly Phaseolus vulgaris (Fabaceae) in Chile, where is known as “capachito or burrito del frijol”.
In Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil it causes damage in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. (Merr.) (Fabaceae) (Alzugaray et al. 1998, Lanteri et al. 2002a, 2013a). Other plants of economic importance are strawberry (Fragaria sp) and Prunus avium L. (Rosaceae), onion (Allium cepa L.) (Amaryllidaceae), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) (Solanaceae) (Lanteri et al. 2002a). Some wild host plants are Solidago chilensis Meyen and Wedelia glauca (Ort.) Hoff. (Asteraceae).