Reunion Flightless Weevil vs Cave Rove Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Reunion Flightless Weevil Cave Rove Beetle
Scientific Name Cratopus ovalis Leptotyphlus mirabilis
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Curculionidae Staphylinidae
Size 8-12 mm 1.5-2.5 mm
Habitat Forests Caves
Diet Herbivores Predators
Regions Reunion Island Mediterranean Europe, particularly cave systems
Conservation Vulnerable Least Concern

Reunion Flightless Weevil

A flightless weevil with fused elytra endemic to the island of Reunion. Its inability to fly has made it vulnerable to habitat fragmentation.

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Did You Know?

Flightlessness evolved independently in many island beetle lineages as an adaptation to windy conditions.

Cave Rove Beetle

A minute, eyeless, depigmented rove beetle adapted to life in deep soil and cave environments. Its body is extremely elongate and its sensory organs are highly developed to compensate for blindness.

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Did You Know?

This beetle has completely lost its eyes and all body pigmentation, a condition known as troglomorphy, evolved over millions of years in total darkness.