Botany Bay Weevil
Diamond Beetle
Click to enlarge image
© Bruce Hulbert
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Chrysolopus
- Species
- spectabilis
- Family
- Curculionidae
- Super Family
- Curculinoidea
- Suborder
- Polyphaga
- Order
- Coleoptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Number of Species
- 6,000
-
- Size Range
- 1.5 cm - 2.5 cm
Introduction
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.
Identification
Most weevil species have a long snout that they use to chew holes in plants for food and to make egg chambers.
Habitat
The Botany Bay Weevil lives in urban areas, forests and woodlands.
Distribution
The Botany Bay Weevil is found in south-eastern Australia.
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 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
Botany Bay Weevil
Image: Bruce Hulbert© Bruce Hulbert
