# Arborvitae Weevil (*phyllobius intrusus*)

The Arborvitae Weevil is a tiny bug that loves to munch on the leaves of Arborvitae trees! With its long snout, it looks like a little gardener taking care of its favorite plants.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** Arborvitae Weevils live in forests and gardens where Arborvitae trees grow.
- **Also known as:** Arbor Weevil, Snout Beetle, Tree Weevil

![Arborvitae Weevil](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/3809638/large.JPG)

Photo: Nick Block, CC BY 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/3809638)

## Appearance

The Arborvitae Weevil is a small, oval-bodied beetle, typically metallic green or coppery in color, giving it a shimmering appearance. It has a distinctive short snout and a bumpy texture, which helps it blend into foliage. Unlike many beetles, its head extends forward into a prominent rostrum.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Coleoptera
- **Family:** Curculionidae
- **Genus:** Parascythopus

## Interesting facts

- Arborvitae Weevils start life as tiny grubs munching on tree roots underground!
- Many weevils, like this one, can play dead instantly to fool hungry predators!
- Their powerful jaws are hidden inside a long snout, like a built-in straw!
- They use tiny claws and sticky pads on their legs to climb smooth leaves!

## Special abilities

- **Foliage Mimicry:** Arborvitae Weevil can blend seamlessly with plant foliage because of its shimmering green color that helps them hide from predators.
- **Root Munchers:** Arborvitae Weevil larvae have strong mouthparts that help them chew on tough tree roots underground for sustenance.
- **Weevil Snout Power:** Arborvitae Weevil has a specialized snout with hidden jaws that helps them feed on plant leaves and stems.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 5-8 mm
- **Size:** 3-5 mm
- **Lifespan:** 30-90 days
- **Flight Speed:** 1.5 km/h
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

Adult weevils nibble on tree leaves, while their larvae munch on roots underground.

- **Age differences:** Larvae feed on tree roots; adults feed on foliage.
- **Primary Foods:** Arborvitae leaves, Cypress leaves, Juniper leaves, Pine needles, Rootlets
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** American Arborvitae (*Thuja occidentalis*) — Adults feed on its leaves and larvae munch roots.
- **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Common garden birds, like robins, prey on adult weevils.
- **Parasitizes:** White Muscardine Fungus (*Beauveria bassiana*) — A natural fungus that can infect and kill weevils.

## Traits

- [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
- [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Arborvitae Weevil?

Look for hard wing covers meeting in a line down the back, then compare the antennae, body shape, legs and markings. Metallic colors shift a lot with lighting. Beetle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What is Arborvitae Weevil's wingspan?

5-8 mm

### How big is Arborvitae Weevil?

3-5 mm

### How long does Arborvitae Weevil live?

30-90 days

### How fast can Arborvitae Weevil fly?

1.5 km/h

### What does Arborvitae Weevil eat?

Adult weevils nibble on tree leaves, while their larvae munch on roots underground.

### Where is Arborvitae Weevil usually found?

Arborvitae Weevils live in forests and gardens where Arborvitae trees grow.

### How does Arborvitae Weevil hunt?

Foraging

## Where to spot

- [Pawtuxet Village](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pawtuxet-village) — US · Historic District
- [Inland Lake Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/inland-lake-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park

## More Insects

- [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*)
- [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*)
- [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*)
- [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*)

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Source: [Arborvitae Weevil: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/arborvitae-weevil)