WEEVIL

also called snout beetle true weevil of the insect family Curculionidae. This family is not only the largest family of the order Coleoptera (about 40,000 species) but is also the largest family in the animal kingdom. Most weevils have long, elbowed antennae that may fold into special grooves on the prominent snout, which has mouthparts at its end. Many have no wings; others are excellent fliers. Most are less than 6 mm (0.25 inch) in length, although the largest exceed 80 mm (3 inches). Most are plainly coloured and marked; however, a few (e.g., the diamond beetle Entimus of Brazil) are brightly coloured. The majority of weevils feed exclusively on plants. The fleshy, legless larvae of most species feed only on a certain part of a plant-the flower head, seeds, fleshy fruits, stems, or roots. Many larvae feed either on a single plant species or on closely related ones. Adult weevils tend to be less specialized in their feeding habits. Weevils have probably been successful because of the development of the snout, which is used not only for penetration and feeding but also for boring holes for eggs. This family includes some extremely destructive pests (e.g., the grain weevil Sitophilus granarius, the rice weevil S. oryzae, and the boll weevil Anthonomus grandis).