Animal Species:Botany Bay Weevil

True weevils belong to the largest beetle family (Curculionidae) in Australia. There are over 6,000 known species with many more to be discovered and scientifically described.

Botany Bay Weevil on leaf

Botany Bay Weevil on leaf
Bruce Hulbert © Bruce Hulbert

Alternative Name/s

Diamond Beetle

Number of species

6,000

Identification

Most weevil species have a long snout that they use to chew holes in plants for food and to make egg chambers.

Size range

1.5 cm - 2.5 cm

Distribution

The Botany Bay Weevil is found in south-eastern Australia.

Habitat

The Botany Bay Weevil lives in urban areas, forests and woodlands.

Feeding and Diet

Weevils feed almost exclusively on plant material.The larvae are usually legless and also eat plant material.

Other behaviours and adaptations

The Diamond Beetle, or Botany Bay Weevil, was one of the first Australian insects to be described from material collected in 1770 by Joseph Banks, a naturalist who landed at Botany Bay with Captain Cook. The Diamond Beetle is still common there and feeds on acacias. Adults snip off twigs while the larvae feed on roots.

Economic/social impacts

Some weevil species are serious pests that threaten trees, vegetables and grain crops. Other species are useful biological control agents of weeds, such as Lixus, used in the control of thistles

Classification

Species:
spectabilis
Genus:
Chrysolopus
Family:
Curculionidae
Superfamily:
Curculinoidea
Suborder:
Polyphaga
Order:
Coleoptera
Class:
Insecta
Subphylum:
Uniramia
Phylum:
Arthopoda
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?


Last Updated:

Tags weevils, beetles, insects, arthropods, invertebrates, identification, wildlife of sydney,

1 comment

kindiis - 3.12 PM, 27 December 2011
This was taken in blue gum hills regional park NSW after examining a wattle tree covered with beetles 18-12-2011

Comment Attachment

Report misuse