Cocklebur Weevil

Dry spots on sunflower stems could be a result of this large weevil's feeding.

1/2

Image Credit: Image copyright www.BeetleIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted

Full-sized image #1 of the Cocklebur Weevil

Thumbnail image #1 of the Cocklebur Weevil

2/2

Image Credit: Image copyright www.BeetleIdentification.org; No Reproduction Permitted

Full-sized image #2 of the Cocklebur Weevil

Thumbnail image #2 of the Cocklebur Weevil

TAXONOMY:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Coleoptera

Family: Curculionidae

Genus: Rhodobaenus

Species: quinquepunctatus

Cockleburs are a plant with spiky flowers, and this weevil, a type of beetle, feeds on them as well as more well-known plants like sunflowers and ragweed. It chews through stem tissue, leaving behind brown, dry-looking patches. The red weevil has some variation in how large the black dots and middle dash appear. All of them are long-bodied and have a curved, black 'snout', a feature shared by many weevils.

This species is not known to be a significant threat to the plant it feeds on, and generally leaves only a few blemishes. It is a shy weevil and will attempt to hide under foliage or move to the opposite side of the stem to avoid an observer.©BeetleIdentification.org

The Cocklebur Weevil is typically 0.1 inches to 0.3 inches (5mm to 8mm) in size and has the following descriptors / identifiers: black oval on red back; black dots; bottom half black; flying; sunflower; long nose; snout; long.

It has a typical diet of the following: cocklebur; sunflower; ragweed.

Color Identification Guide

Various colors commonly associated with this beetle.

Red

Black

Beetle Anatomy

Territorial Area Map (Visual Reference Guide)

The map below showcases (in blue) the states and territories of North America where the Cocklebur Weevil may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data can be useful in seeing concentrations of a particular species over the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some species are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America.

Alaska

Hawaii

Prince Edward Is.

Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic

Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic

Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico

Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic

Newfoundland and Labrador

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

The BeetleIdentification.org logo, its written content, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. The material presented across this site is for entertainment value and should not be construced as usable for scientific research or medical advice (insect bites, etc...) Please consult licensed, degreed professionals for such information. By submitting images to us (BeetleIdentification.org) you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Disclaimer as it pertains to "User-Submitted Content". Any beetle images and site inquiries can be submitted to beetleidentification at gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.

Part of the Insect Identification network of sites that includes InsectIdentification.org, ButterflyIdentification.org, CaterpillarIdentification.org, and BugsOfTennessee.com.