Understanding pesky weevils
Weevils are often called flour bugs, because that is where they are frequently found.
THERE are some 97 000 species known worldwide, most belonging to the super-family Curculionoida, known for their elongated snouts.
Weevils have chewing mouth parts, as opposed to piercing mouth parts of most other beetles. They use these to bite into seeds and grains, but some also chew into stems and new shoots of plants to feed on them. Their feeding habits make many species a real pest to crops and agriculture.
Most weevil species have wings and can fly. They are also really small, being less than 6mm in length, however, there are some large species of weevil, about an inch long.
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“I have seen a few dozen weevil species in Durban, but there are probably a few hundred species to be found. The most interesting one I have seen is the hose nose weevil which feeds on cycad seeds. They have a super long snout, with males having the longest, often longer then their total body length,” said Warren Dick.
Contact Warren to have some of your interesting insects, snakes or spiders identified. Call or WhatsApp him on 072 211 0353.
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