Skip to main content

Eucalyptus Weevil (Elephant Beetle)

FAMILY: Curculionidae; Subfamily: Gonipterinae

Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

-29.5859, 152.776

Field Notes

Description:

Small beetle, distinctive elongated & broad rostrum (snout), large eyes, mottled brown/cream colouring, bumpy exterior, covered with pale 'fluff'. Plant eater. Often found on Eucalyptus trees & hang tight when threatened preferring to use camouflage rather than try to escape. With most weevils when this fails they tend to let go & quickly drop to the ground becoming hidden amongst leaf litter.

Habitat:

Found throughout a variety of environments in Australia, this one in dry woodland forest in north east NSW.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)
kdpicturemaker
Thanks Mark & StephenS. I've noticed as well they are often referred to as Gumnut Beetles, & it does suit them especially these little brown ones. They seem to freeze rather than run away & locking on to their perch in the hope the predator will go away or at least its attempts to dislodge the weevil from its hold will be too difficult.
Mark Ridgway
They sure are cute. Also in the way they hug a stem. Pity there's so many species to dig through. Overseas they are getting known more often as Gumnut beetles which is a name I kind of like.
kdpicturemaker
They make me smile too! This one's Little Ted, the orange one is Big Ted. They seem to be a bit 'fluffy' when you look at them very closely.
Neil Ross
I'd want a really big one as a family pet. He looks like quite a character. A wonderful spotting, KD. It makes me smile :-)
kdpicturemaker
Thanks StephenS. They do resemble teddy bears...probably why I like them. This one was less than 1cm long.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Beetles!
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project
Photographed
PublishedFebruary 27, 2014

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies