Milkweed Stem Weevil - Rhyssomatus lineaticollis

Total length: about 6 mm long. Robust, oval, black weevil with reddish antennae and tarsi. Ridged and grooved elytra. Adults feed on milkweed.

Spotted on milkweed in a rural garden.

comments (11)

Flown Kimmerling

Lion

Oh my goodness! This is just too cute! Great capture! Posted 7 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks! I had no idea weevils ate from milkweed. This was one of two. The male was mounted on top of this one mating with her while she ate. Posted 7 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Priorities are overrated if you can have both. Seriously, very cool find! Posted 7 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Thanks Ferdy. It's an interesting tactic for sure - give the female a snack distract her and to ensure longer mating time. Too bad he fell off when I touched their leaf. I tried to put him back on her, but he rejected my assistance ;P Posted 7 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Well, its pretty embarrassing this "help", Christine. Any man will surely understand :) Posted 7 years ago
      2. Flown Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        This is the most hilarious conversation! I'm glad I came back to read this! Posted 7 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Yep, I think I ruined the mood :/. I tried to position him "just right", but he didn't appreciate my interference. Posted 7 years ago
        
        Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Great. And now what? Did she ran off with Richard again? Posted 7 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Pretty sure his name was Bob. Posted 7 years ago
        
        Flown Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        That dirty Bob! Posted 7 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        He's filthy, lol Posted 7 years ago

The Milkweed Stem Weevil

"Rhyssomatus lineaticollis" is a species of weevil whose adults feed on the stems of the common milkweed, "Asclepias syriaca". It is also destructive to the rare and threatened milkweed species "Asclepias meadii".

Info 5 0

Similar species: Beetles

Species identified by Christine Young