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Sugarcane Butt Weevil

Leptopius maleficus

Description:

Weevil of about 13mm. Cryptic colouration in shades of green, blue, and brown; a distinct white ring around the eyes and blunt spines covering the elytra; snout is broad and antennae are elbowed. An interesting fact about this genus is, that the beetles don't have wings.

Habitat:

Found climbing a house wall in area of farmland with patches of tropical rainforest, on the Atherton Tablelands.

Notes:

Apparently, this species can damage sugarcane, but the damage is minimal and very localized. There's an article here: https://sugarresearch.com.au/wp-content/...

1 Species ID Suggestions

bayucca
bayucca 6 years ago
Broad-nosed Weevil
Leptopius cf. maleficus http://www.ozinsects.com/images/Leptopius_maleficus-mn.jpg


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6 Comments

Felix Fleck
Felix Fleck 6 years ago

Thanks for the nomination, Ashley!

AshleyT
AshleyT 6 years ago

Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!

Felix Fleck
Felix Fleck 6 years ago

Ha ha, thanks Mark :-)

Mark Ridgway
Mark Ridgway 6 years ago

Great spotting Felix. The common name is a worry. :)

Felix Fleck
Felix Fleck 6 years ago

And, once again, many thanks to you, bayucca! I also think maleficus is the closest match. No picture matches the colour, but this species has that white ring around the eyes.

Felix Fleck
Spotted by
Felix Fleck

Cairns, QLD, Australia

Spotted on May 7, 2009
Submitted on Jul 2, 2017

Spotted for Mission

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