DSC_1013 Speargrass weevil (Lyperobius patricki) mating pair. A large, flightless weevil found on host plants Aciphylla aurea and A. montana var.gracilis. Speargrass weevils are the most widely distributed of NZ's giant weevils and unlike other flightless weevils, are still found on the mainland, rather than on rat-free offshore islands. Apart from a small population on the Wellington coastline, they are restricted to the montane and subalpine tussock regions of the South Island. Ida Range, Oteake Conservation Park *
11005-67012 Speargrass weevil (Lyperobius spedenii) today, this is the most widely distributed of the mainland speargrass weevils remaining throughout its southern range extending roughly down the Main Divide from mid Canterbury to Southland. Its host plants are Aciphylla lecomtei, A. pinnatifida, A. spedeni, and A.simplex. Lake Douglas, Mark Range, Haast *
DSC_0315 Elephant weevil, or wiiwira (Rhyncodes ursus) a brightly coloured female, recently emerged on mountain beech. Found from New Caledonia (including Lifou), through the Kermadecs and throughout NZ. The larvae tunnel in the dead wood of beech, kauri, Dracophyllum and taraire. The adults can be found crawling slowly over the trunks of these trees in summer, feeding on exuded tree sap. Lake Manapouri, Fiordland *
