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Red Palm Weevil

Rhynchophorus ferrugineus

Photo by Muckpuk
Published on Project Noah
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8.0293, 98.2734

Field Notes

Description:

Enormous beetle, 10/12cm, Red brown colour and his armor was velvety in touch. Retractable / foldable anchor hooks at the end of its legs!!
Long hollow trunk-like nose.

Habitat:

Beach at the Andaman coast, Phuket, Thailand. South East Asia. Rainy season, large waves.13.30 pm

Notes:

I saw this bug lying upside down with his feet in the air on the shoreline.
When a big wave came rolling in I picked it up in time and it slashed his hooks in my hand/fingers. It was impossible to shake him off and even with the help of my partner it was very difficult to get his hooks out of my skin without breaking his legs or ripping my skin. Luckily for him I chose to have my skin ripped and his legs saved. But in return he did have to model for me. He was incredibly beautiful and so so soft.

Species ID Suggestions

Red Palm Weevil

Rhynchophorus ferrugineus

Comments (8)

Thank you all for your kind words.
Great shots and story! :D I would love to touch those soft elytra.
Beautiful spotting and interesting information - thanks !
Wonderful series of this very large weevil!
Is it a weevil?!?!?!? That is HUGE!

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