Weevil Beetles - Superfamily Curculionoidea

This page contains pictures and information about Weevil Beetles that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.



Insects in this group are commonly called weevils. Adults have the elongation of the head to form a rostrum and modified mouth parts. They usually have a rigid body. Their antennae are always clubbed and some are elbowed. Generally the rostrum has elongated groove on each side for the reception of the antennae.

Weevil larvae are usually legless grubs or with very minute legs. They have hard round head and often blind. They feed on vegetable parts includes wood, bark, shoots, buds, leaves and roots, some are on grain and stored vegetable products.

Family BELIDAE - Belid Weevils

Family ATTELABIDAE - Leaf-rolling weevils
This family very close to the true weevil family CURCULIONIDAE. Usually they have short rostrum and straight antennae.




Family APIONIDAE - Straight-snouted Weevils
Species in this family are small and often black in colour. They have round abdomen and narrow rostrum, like the true weevil. Their antenna are not elbowed which distinguishes them from true weevil.


Family CURCULIONIDAE - True Weevils Weevil adults characterized by the elongation of the front part of their head and mouths. Their antennae usually elbowed and clubbed. They usually have rigid bodies less than 10mm, although the largest can be up to 60mm. All of them are plant feeders.


Reference:
1. Insects of Australia, CSIRO, Division of Entomology, Melbourne University Press, 2nd Edition 1991, p 678.
2. Insects of Australia and New Zealand - R. J. Tillyard, Angus & Robertson, Ltd, Sydney, 1926, p237.