# Clay-coloured Weevil (*Otiorhynchus singularis*) The Clay-coloured Weevil is a small, brown bug that loves to munch on plants. It has a long snout and tiny legs, making it look quite funny as it moves around in gardens and fields. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Gardens ![Clay-coloured Weevil](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Otiorhynchus_singularis%252C_Barmouth%252C_North_Wales%252C_May_2010_2_%2818288546746%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Janet Graham, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Otiorhynchus_singularis%252C_Barmouth%252C_North_Wales%252C_May_2010_2_%2818288546746%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Clay-coloured Weevil has a stout, oval body, typically dull grey-brown to reddish-brown, often appearing dusty due to short, dense, pale scales. Its distinguishing features include a short, broad snout (rostrum) and deeply ridged wing covers (elytra), which are fused, meaning it cannot fly. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Curculionidae - **Genus:** Otiorhynchus ## Interesting facts - Adult weevils can live for more than a year, surviving through cold winters. - Most Clay-coloured Weevils are female and can have babies without needing a male! - Their wing covers are fused together, so these weevils cannot fly! - They are nocturnal, meaning they wake up and eat plants only after the sun goes down. ## Special abilities - **Super Snout Eater:** The Clay-coloured Weevil can chew through tough plant stems and leaves because of its strong, short snout that helps them eat. - **Play Dead Defense:** Clay-coloured Weevils can suddenly drop to the ground and play dead when threatened, which helps them escape predators. - **Root Muncher Babies:** Their larvae have powerful mandibles for boring into soil and eating plant roots, which helps them grow strong underground. ## Measurements & details - **Size:** 4-8 mm - **Lifespan:** 365-730 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding This weevil is a herbivore, with both adults and larvae munching on different parts of plants. - **Age differences:** Larvae live underground and feed on plant roots, while adults feed above ground on leaves, buds, and bark. - **Primary Foods:** leaves, buds, bark, roots, flowers, soft stems - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** raspberry (*Rubus idaeus*) — Feeds on foliage and can cause significant plant damage. - **Eaten by:** blackbird (*Turdus merula*) — Birds forage for weevils on the ground and plants. - **Eaten by:** [European hedgehog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-hedgehog) (*Erinaceus europaeus*) — Hedgehogs consume weevils as part of their varied diet. ## 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. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [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. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low It's best to look at bugs like weevils without touching them, as they are very small and delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Clay-coloured 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 Clay-coloured Weevil? 4-8 mm ### How long does Clay-coloured Weevil live? 365-730 days ### What does Clay-coloured Weevil eat? This weevil is a herbivore, with both adults and larvae munching on different parts of plants. ### Where is Clay-coloured Weevil usually found? Gardens ### How does Clay-coloured Weevil hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Clay-coloured Weevil have? 6 ## 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: [Clay-coloured Weevil: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/clay-coloured-weevil)