A bulldozer of the Insect World

I have a certain fascination with Weevils. The large ones, such as this specimen, are easy to see, and relatively slow moving, so they are photographable. Just.

This one would walk relatively quickly from any leaf or branch on which I put it. So I resorted to putting it on my hand. Even then, it walked straight off the edge of my hand. I let it go, because it was so determined to escape.

 This is a Black Leaf-rolling Weevil

Black Leaf-rolling Weevil.

What surprised me about this specimen was that it lacked the long "nose" which I associate with Weevils. This Weevil has a double line of special reinforcing on the short "rostrum". It is clearly built for heavy-duty work. The antennae, come out from the "rostrum" in typical Weevil fashion. But the rostrum is very short, and heavy, with mouth parts very prominent.

Click to enlarge the head, rostrum and mouth parts.

Rostrum and mouth parts of Black Leaf-rolling Weevil

Here is a more usual Weevil, with a long rostrum.

I don't know exactly what the Weevil on today's story (in the first two photos) does with the leaves it apparently rolls, but it strikes me as being built like a virtual "bulldozer". That is especially true when comparing this heavy built insect with the Butterfly, from yesterday.