Toadflax Stem Weevil vs Cromwell Chafer Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Toadflax Stem Weevil Cromwell Chafer Beetle
Scientific Name Mecinus janthinus Prodontria lewisii
Order Coleoptera Coleoptera
Family Curculionidae Scarabaeidae
Size 3-4 mm 1-1.5 cm
Habitat Grasslands Deserts & Drylands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe New Zealand
Conservation Least Concern Critically Endangered

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.

Cromwell Chafer Beetle

A small chafer beetle endemic to a tiny area near Cromwell in Central Otago, New Zealand. Adults are nocturnal and feed on native grasses.

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Did You Know?

Its entire habitat is protected within an 81-hectare reserve, one of the smallest nature reserves created for an insect.