Botany Bay Diamond Weevil - Chrysolopus spectabilis

FAMILY CURCULIONIDAE

This page contains information and pictures about Botany Bay Diamond Weevils that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia

This weevil also known as Diamond Beetle. This weevil is famous in Australia natural history because it was the first scientifically described Australian insect species.



It is not too difficult to found them in Karawatha Park during summer season. We found those weevils always feeding alone on young Acacia tree.



This weevil has beautiful metallic green dots patterns on black colour. The patterns are slightly different on individual. .



The larvae feed on roots of Acacia.







We found the weevil once on gum tree leaf, but not sure if it feed on gum leaf as well.



When disturbed, the weevil dropped on the ground and play dead. We put it on hand and it slowly walked back to the leaf.


Acacia

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, p228.
3. Beetles of Australia - Trevor J Hawkeswood, Angus & Robertson Publishers, 1987, p118.
4. Australian Weevils - Zimmerman, E.C., CSIRO PUBLISHING, 1991, Plate 348.