Monophyly of the species-rich clade comprising the sister families Brentidae and Curculionidae was maximally (and ubiquitously) supported; support for this relationship in previous molecular studies was inconsistent and/or those studies were inconclusive about the definition and limits of the two families, especially Brentidae. The true weevils (Curculionidae) were strongly supported as a monophyletic group in our study regardless of data set, partitioning scheme or analysis method. This therefore firmly establishes the limits of the family by demonstrating, for example, inclusion of the palm and pinhole borer weevils (Dryophthorinae and Platypodinae), while definitively excluding other groups.