# Sri Lanka Weevil (*Myllocerus undecimpustulatus*) The Sri Lanka Weevil is a small, colorful bug found in Sri Lanka. It has a long snout and loves to munch on plants, making it an important part of nature. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Sri Lanka Weevil](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Myllocerus_undecimpustulatus_342693924.jpg&width=800) Photo: Kai Squires, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Myllocerus_undecimpustulatus_342693924.jpg) ## Appearance The Sri Lanka Weevil is a small beetle, usually 3-7mm long, with a distinct short, broad snout. It often has a striking metallic greenish-grey or brownish sheen, sometimes with faint darker spots on its wing covers, making it visually distinct from duller weevil species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Curculionidae - **Genus:** Myllocerus ## Interesting facts - Despite its small size, swarms of these weevils can cause big damage to crops! - If threatened, this tiny weevil can play dead, dropping to the ground and staying perfectly still! - Scientists named this weevil 'undecimpustulatus' because it sometimes has eleven spots! - The Sri Lanka Weevil's 'snout' is actually its mouthparts, used for precision munching! ## Special abilities - **Leaf Muncher:** Sri Lanka Weevil has specialized chewing mouthparts at the end of its rostrum that help them devour plant leaves and shoots. - **Metallic Camouflage:** This weevil is covered in iridescent scales that help it blend perfectly with the foliage of its host plants, hiding from predators. - **Hardened Armor:** Sri Lanka Weevil has a tough exoskeleton that provides excellent protection from bumps and many hungry predators. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 8-15 mm - **Size:** 3-7 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-150 days - **Flight Speed:** 2 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding This little insect loves to munch on the leaves and young shoots of many plants. - **Age differences:** Larvae feed on plant roots underground, while adults prefer munching on leaves and young shoots above ground. - **Primary Foods:** mango leaves, tea leaves, citrus leaves, avocado leaves, guava leaves, cotton leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Mango tree (*Mangifera indica*) — Feeds on leaves - **Eats:** [Tea plant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tea-plant) (*Camellia sinensis*) — Consumes foliage - **Eaten by:** House Crow (*Corvus splendens*) — Crows eat insects - **Eaten by:** Weaver Ant (*Oecophylla smaragdina*) — Ants 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. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [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 Don't touch bugs without asking an adult first, as some can bite. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Sri Lanka 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 Sri Lanka Weevil's wingspan? 8-15 mm ### How big is Sri Lanka Weevil? 3-7 mm ### How long does Sri Lanka Weevil live? 60-150 days ### How fast can Sri Lanka Weevil fly? 2 km/h ### What does Sri Lanka Weevil eat? This little insect loves to munch on the leaves and young shoots of many plants. ### Where is Sri Lanka Weevil usually found? Forests ### How does Sri Lanka Weevil hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Butterfly World](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/butterfly-world) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Child of the Sun](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/child-of-the-sun) — Florida, US · Historic District - [Mitchell Nutter Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mitchell-nutter-park) — Florida, US · Park [View all places to see Sri Lanka Weevil](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/sri-lanka-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: [Sri Lanka Weevil: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sri-lanka-weevil)