Weevils are pests all over the world, though from their point of view, they are very sucessful!
The weevil above still has the remains of its most recent meal caked on its snout.
Extremely well adapted to their lifestyle. Weevils prefer to eat the tastiest and sweetest parts of plants, fortunately a long snout equiped with strong and sharp mandibles allow them to easily access this nutrious food source.
The hindged antenae lay back on the snout while eating so they can reach even the deepest parts of the seed or flower bud they are dining upon.
Many species rely on camouflage to avoid detection, looking quite a bit like dried bird droppings.
Another defensive adaptation is a very thick exoskeleton. When disturbed they will often just fall off branch or flower as a fall from even very high places will not damage them. Weevils tend to be very slow and careful walkers as their exoskeleton is so thick; the joints where the legs meet the body are large ball joints. They look quite robotic!
Upside-down, they are as graceful as a turtle in the same position. This weevil was safely returned to the plant where I found it.
This little blue species appears to be exploring a new planet as part of some interplanetary expedition. It's entirely too cute!
They're silent but I really want to imagine it making little clicks and whirr sounds.
I hope you are enjoying these posts as much as I do writing them!
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Also, if you like macro photography, check out some of the earlier posts in this series.
Little Monsters - Part I: Wolf Spiders
Little Monsters - Part II: Golden Orb Weaver
Little Monsters - Part III: Lynx Spiders!
Little Monsters - Part IV: Decorator Orb Weaver
Little Monsters - Part V: Black Back Paper Wasp
Little Monsters - Part VI: Dragonfly
Little Monsters - Part VII: Indian Fritallary
Little Monsters - Part VIII: Giant Japanese Hornet
Little Monsters - Part IX: Praying Mantis!
Little Monsters - Part X: Harlequin Ladybird!
Little Monsters - Part XI: Dragons!
Little Monsters - Part XII: Snails!
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