| Rhynchodes ursus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Coleoptera |
| Suborder: | Polyphaga |
| Infraorder: | Cucujiformia |
| Family: | Curculionidae |
| Genus: | Rhynchodes |
| Species: | R. ursus |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhynchodes ursus | |
Rhynchodes ursus, also known as the elephant weevil, is a weevil in the Curculionidae family. [2] It is endemic to New Zealand. It is a wood-boring weevil found throughout New Zealand.
This species was first described by Adam White in 1846. [3]
The adults of this species were originally described by White as follows:
Deep brown; the thorax with two longitudinal bands of a lighter colour near the side; elytra above with five rows of hairs, on each side of which is a row of very deep punctures, between every two of which is a smoothish ridge; across the elytra are two obscure, dark brown bands; legs black, femora above at the end with a spot of yellowish brown hairs; abdomen beneath with the last segment having two tufts of hair.
Length, 101⁄2 lines. [3]
This large weevil has a deep brown colour with two lighter bands near the side of its thorax. It has black legs with a spot of yellowish-brown hairs on each femur. [3] It has dense scales on its body, which can be hair-like. In female specimens the antennae are inserted halfway along the rostrum and nearer the front in males. [1] This species varies greatly in size, colour, and in the amount and nature of its hair-like scales. Male specimens are covered with short scale-like hairs, whilst females have longer, deep brown, or grey, longer more shaggy scale-like hairs. Old individuals are occasionally met with quite black and shining, and almost destitute of any scales whatsoever. [4]
The larvae of R. ursus can be distinguished from other weevil larvae as it is large in size and has broad rounded ends to its premedial plates on its exoskeleton. [5]
This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. [2] [4]
This species is active at night and is able to fly. [6]
Adult weevils are found on trees, where they gather to feed on sap. Larvae tunnel into dead trunks and branches of southern beeches, rimu and Dracophyllum traversii . [1]
The larvae of R. ursus are the host of New Zealand's largest parasitic wasp, Certonotus fractinervis . Female wasps use a long ovipositor to lay eggs inside the larvae whilst those larvae develop inside trees. [4]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain . This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .