# True Weevils (*Curculionidae*) True weevils are tiny beetles with long snouts that help them eat plants. They come in many colors and shapes, and they love to hide in gardens and fields. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Gardens ![True Weevils](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Weevil_September_2008-1.jpg&width=800) Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Weevil_September_2008-1.jpg) ## Appearance The True Weevils has a distinctive elongated snout called a rostrum, often as long as its body. They typically have a small, hard, oval or pear-shaped body, covered in dull brown, black, or grey scales, sometimes with metallic or patterned markings. Their sturdy exoskeleton provides protection. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Coleoptera - **Family:** Curculionidae ## Interesting facts - Certain weevil species are used by farmers to control invasive weeds naturally! - Some weevil larvae live \*inside\* acorns or nuts, eating the tasty insides! - Their long snouts are sometimes called 'noses,' but they're actually mouths! - There are over 80,000 species of true weevils, making them a huge family! ## Special abilities - **Precision Driller:** True Weevils can use their strong snout to drill into plants, helping them find food and make safe spots for eggs. - **Clever Disguise:** True Weevils can have excellent camouflage because of their varied body colors and textures that blend perfectly with plants and bark. - **Play Dead Master:** True Weevils can play dead by tucking in their legs and antennae because this trick makes predators think they are not worth eating. - **Armored Body:** True Weevils has a tough, shell-like exoskeleton that helps protect them from predators and environmental damage. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 3-30 mm - **Size:** 1-60 mm - **Lifespan:** 60-700 days - **Flight Speed:** 2-6 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding True weevils are herbivores, munching on various parts of plants like leaves, stems, and fruits. - **Age differences:** Larvae typically live inside plant tissues, feeding on internal parts, while adults usually feed externally. - **Primary Foods:** Leaves, Stems, Roots, Seeds, Fruits, Pollen - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Robins frequently forage for weevils on the ground and in plants. - **Eats:** [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) — Some weevil species feed on the leaves and bark of oak trees. - **Eaten by:** [Golden Ground Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-ground-beetle) (*Carabus auratus*) — Ground beetles hunt and consume weevils hiding on the ground. - **Depends on:** Gallic Rose (*Rosa gallica*) — Many weevil species rely on specific plants, like roses, for food and shelter. - **Parasitizes:** [Soybean](https://www.snappit.app/explore/soybean) (*Glycine max*) — The Soybean Weevil larvae damage soybean plants by feeding inside stems. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [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. - [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 True weevils are harmless, but it's best to look at them without touching. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify True 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. ### What is True Weevils's wingspan? 3-30 mm ### How big is True Weevils? 1-60 mm ### How long does True Weevils live? 60-700 days ### How fast can True Weevils fly? 2-6 km/h ### What does True Weevils eat? True weevils are herbivores, munching on various parts of plants like leaves, stems, and fruits. ### Where is True Weevils usually found? Gardens ### How does True Weevils hunt? Foraging ## 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: [True Weevils: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/true-weevils)