# Black Vine Weevil (*Otiorhynchus sulcatus*) The Black Vine Weevil is a small, black bug that loves to munch on plants. It has a long snout and can be found in gardens and fields, where it hides during the day and comes out at night. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Gardens and fields ![Black Vine Weevil](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Otiorhynchus_sulcatus_23-8-2007_20-10-41.JPG&width=800) Photo: Opuntia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Otiorhynchus_sulcatus_23-8-2007_20-10-41.JPG) ## Appearance The Black Vine Weevil is a dull, dark brown to black insect with a hard, lumpy exoskeleton. It features a distinctive short, broad snout, also known as a rostrum, and often has small yellowish or orange specks on its back. Unlike many insects, it lacks functional wings and cannot fly. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Curculionidae - **Genus:** Otiorhynchus ## Interesting facts - Wow, female Black Vine Weevils don't need a male to have babies! - Wow, their babies live hidden underground for many months! - Wow, their special snouts are perfect for chewing notches in leaves! - Wow, their strong legs help them climb up smooth walls and pots! ## Special abilities - **Unisex Army:** Black Vine Weevil can reproduce without a mate because females lay eggs alone, creating an army of clones! - **Tough Shield:** Black Vine Weevil has a very hard outer shell that helps them stay safe from hungry birds and other predators. - **Root Muncher:** Black Vine Weevil larvae can eat plant roots underground, which helps them hide from danger and find food. - **Night Feeder:** Black Vine Weevil is active at night, helping them avoid predators that hunt during the day. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 7-12 mm - **Lifespan:** 730-1095 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These plant-eating insects munch on a wide variety of leaves, stems, and roots! - **Age differences:** Larvae eat roots underground, while adults feed on leaves above ground. - **Primary Foods:** Rhododendron leaves, Taxus baccata needles, Strawberry plants, Cyclamen tubers, Primula roots - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Wolf Spider (*Pardosa amentata*) — Adult weevils are a food source for spiders. - **Parasitizes:** Entomopathogenic Nematode (*Steinernema kraussei*) — Nematodes infect and kill weevil larvae in the soil. - **Eats:** [Strawberry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/strawberry) (*Fragaria ananassa*) — Weevils chew notches in leaves and larvae eat roots. - **Eats:** [Rhododendron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rhododendron) (*Rhododendron ponticum*) — Adult weevils cause characteristic leaf notching. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Burrowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/burrowing): Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Don't touch bugs without asking an adult first, as some can be harmful. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Black Vine 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. ### How big is Black Vine Weevil? 7-12 mm ### How long does Black Vine Weevil live? 730-1095 days ### What does Black Vine Weevil eat? These plant-eating insects munch on a wide variety of leaves, stems, and roots! ### Where is Black Vine Weevil usually found? Gardens and fields ### How does Black Vine Weevil hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Black Vine Weevil have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Delaware Division of the Pennsylvania Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/delaware-division-of-the-pennsylvania-canal) — Pennsylvania, US · Historic Site - [Shedd Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shedd-aquarium) — Illinois, US · Aquarium - [Shedd Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shedd-aquarium-illinois) — Illinois, US · Zoo - [Bush Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bush-hill-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Peace Candle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/peace-candle) — Pennsylvania, US · Nature Reserve - [Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/schoharie-crossing-state-historic-site) — New York, US · Historic District [View all places to see Black Vine Weevil](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/black-vine-weevil) ## 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*) --- Source: [Black Vine Weevil: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-vine-weevil)