Knobbled Weevil vs Toadflax Stem Weevil

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Knobbled Weevil Toadflax Stem Weevil
Scientific Name Karocolens pittospori Mecinus janthinus
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Curculionidae Curculionidae
Size 15-22 mm 3-4 mm
Habitat Forests Grasslands
Diet Wood Feeders Herbivores
Regions Oceania (New Zealand) Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Knobbled Weevil

A large, knobbled weevil endemic to New Zealand, covered in rough tubercles that give it a bark-like appearance. It is nocturnal and flightless, found in native forests. Its rough texture provides excellent camouflage against tree bark.

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Did You Know?

When disturbed, the knobbled weevil plays dead and drops to the ground, where its bark-like texture makes it nearly invisible among leaf litter.

Toadflax Stem Weevil

A dark metallic blue-purple weevil that feeds on toadflax species. Successfully used as a biological control agent for invasive Dalmatian toadflax in North America.

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Did You Know?

Released in North America as biological control, where it has successfully suppressed invasive Dalmatian toadflax.