# Pear-shaped Weevils (*Apioninae*)

Pear-shaped weevils are tiny bugs that have a funny shape like a pear! They love to munch on plants and can be found in gardens and fields.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Gardens

![Pear-shaped Weevils](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/39988215/medium.jpeg)

Photo: Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, CC BY 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/39988215)

## Appearance

The Pear-shaped Weevils has a distinctly pear-shaped or ovate body, often appearing black, dark blue, or metallic green. They possess a long, slender snout, called a rostrum, which is typically curved and prominent. Their antennae are usually elbowed.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Coleoptera
- **Family:** Brentidae
- **Genus:** Eutrichapion

## Interesting facts

- Many pear-shaped weevils are so tiny, they can fit on a pinhead!
- Some can play dead by pulling in their legs and falling still!
- Their babies munch seeds from the inside, leaving them like empty shells!
- They belong to the biggest beetle family in the entire world!

## Special abilities

- **Seed Bore Master:** Pear-shaped Weevils can bore into plant seeds with their long snout because it helps them access food and lay eggs safely.
- **Compact Protection:** Pear-shaped Weevils has a compact, hard pear-shaped body that helps them fit snugly into plant crevices or protect against predators.
- **Inside-Out Development:** Pear-shaped Weevils can develop entirely inside plant seeds because their larvae are perfectly adapted to feed and grow within this protective food source.

## Measurements & details

- **Size:** 1-4 mm
- **Lifespan:** 60-180 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

These tiny insects munch on various plant parts, especially seeds and flowers.

- **Age differences:** Larvae feed internally on seeds; adults typically feed on leaves, stems, or pollen.
- **Primary Foods:** plant seeds, flowers, leaves, stems
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** [White Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-clover) (*Trifolium repens*) — Adults feed on foliage, larvae develop in seeds.
- **Eats:** [Alfalfa](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alfalfa) (*Medicago sativa*) — Adults and larvae consume various plant parts.
- **Eaten by:** European Garden Spider (*Araneus diadematus*) — Small weevils can become prey for various spiders.
- **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Blue Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-blue-tit) (*Cyanistes caeruleus*) — Insectivorous birds commonly prey on weevils.

## 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.
- [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.
- [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
- [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 weevils from a distance and not touch them.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Pear-shaped Weevils?

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 Pear-shaped Weevils?

1-4 mm

### How long does Pear-shaped Weevils live?

60-180 days

### What does Pear-shaped Weevils eat?

These tiny insects munch on various plant parts, especially seeds and flowers.

### Where is Pear-shaped Weevils usually found?

Gardens

### How does Pear-shaped Weevils hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Pear-shaped Weevils have?

6

## Where to spot

- [Highbridge Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/highbridge-park) — New York, US · 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: [Pear-shaped Weevils: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pear-shaped-weevils)