Anagotus stephenensis

Ngaio weevil
Ngaio weevil on Stephens Island

Nationally Critical (NZ TCS)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Curculionidae
Subfamily: Cyclominae
Tribe: Aterpini
Genus: Anagotus
Species: A. stephenensis
Binomial name
Anagotus stephenensis
G Kuschel, 1982

Anagotus stephenensis, commonly known as the ngaio weevil, is a large flightless weevil that is only found on Stephens Island, New Zealand. The ngaio weevil was discovered in 1916 on Stephens Island and is a relict population.[1]

The ngaio weevil has a historic range as far away as South Canterbury and was once common, having been found in reasonable numbers (39) in cave deposits produced by the extinct laughing owl.[1] Intensive searches in 1971 and 1995 saw one or two specimens indicating it had become rarer than when discovered in 1916, when 15 specimens were collected from Stephens Island.[1]

The weevil is known to live on ngaio trees (Myoporum laetum), feeding on leaves, where it produces a characteristic feeding notch. The adults have also been found on the karaka tree (Corynocarpus laevigatus).[1] The weevil is a large, nocturnal, flightless weevil ranging in length from 20 to 31mm.[2] This species has recently had its conservation status upgraded to nationally critical.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Kuschel, G; Worthy, TH (1996). "Past distribution of large weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in the South Island, New Zealand, based on Holocene fossil remains title" (PDF). New Zealand Entomologist 19: 15–19. doi:10.1080/00779962.1996.9722016.
  2. McGuiness, C.A. "The Conservation Requirements of New Zealand’s Nationally Threatened Invertebrates" (PDF). Department of Conservation. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  3. Stringer, I.A.N; Hitchmough, R.A.; Leschena, R.A.B.; Marris, J.W.M.; Emberson, R.M.; Nunn, J. (2012). "The conservation status of New Zealand Coleoptera". New Zealand Entomologist 35 (2). doi:10.1080/00779962.2012.686311.
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