Hazel-leaf roller weevil (Apoderus coryli)

🐞 Hazel-leaf Roller Weevil (Apoderus coryli)

The Hazel-leaf roller weevil, Apoderus coryli, is a distinctive and fascinating beetle belonging to the family Attelabidae—commonly known as leaf-rolling weevils. It is well known for its unique leaf-rolling behavior, which is part of its reproductive strategy. This weevil is native to and widespread across Europe and parts of Asia, and it is most often associated with hazel trees (Corylus avellana), from which it takes its name.

🔍 Identification

• Size:
  6–8 mm long.
• Body Shape:
  Slender with a distinctively narrow “neck”, making the head look small and separated from the body.
• Coloration:
  • Elytra (wing covers): Bright reddish-orange
  • Head and pronotum: Contrasting black
  • Antennae: Elbowed, typical of weevils
  • Legs: Reddish to black
• Sexual Dimorphism:
  Males may have slightly longer necks and snouts compared to females.

🌿 Habitat & Host Plants

• Preferred trees:
  • Hazel (Corylus avellana)
  • Also occasionally found on hornbeam (Carpinus), birch (Betula), and alder (Alnus).
• Habitat:
  • Woodland edges, hedgerows, parks, and gardens with hazel or suitable host plants.

🐛 Life Cycle & Leaf Rolling

1. Mating:
   Adults emerge in late spring to early summer.
2. Leaf rolling:
   • The female cuts and rolls hazel leaves into a cigar-like tube.
   • She then lays 1–3 eggs inside each roll.
   • This behavior gives protection and nourishment to the developing larvae.
3. Larvae:
   • Feed on the inside of the rolled leaf.
   • After developing, they drop to the ground to pupate in the soil.
4. Adults:
   • Emerge later in the summer.
   • May overwinter as adults in leaf litter or bark crevices.

🌍 Distribution

• Widely found across Europe, including the UK, Germany, France, the Baltics, and parts of Central and Eastern Europe.
• Also present in temperate Asia, including parts of Russia.

🧠 Interesting Facts

• The leaf-rolling behavior is instinctive and highly precise, with the female cutting and curling the leaf in a specific pattern using her legs and mouthparts.
• Though it looks like it might damage trees, Apoderus coryli typically doesn’t cause serious harm in natural environments.

📌 Summary

The Hazel-leaf roller weevil (Apoderus coryli) is a small yet charismatic beetle with a bold coloration and a unique life strategy. Its ingenious use of rolled leaves as nurseries makes it a remarkable example of insect behavior and adaptation. While mostly harmless to trees, it plays an intriguing role in forest ecosystems and is a delightful find for naturalists and entomologists alike.

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