Insect · GBIF taxon 1240491
Sri Lanka Weevil
Myllocerus undecimpustulatusAlso known as Yellow-headed Ravenous Weevil
Sri Lanka weevils are striking broad-nosed beetles clad in mottled pale gray, green, and yellowish scales adorned with subtle dark markings. Adults feed aggressively on the margins of leaves across more than one hundred host plants, leaving behind ragged, notched foliage while their subterranean larvae feed on roots. Native to the Indian subcontinent, they have established prolific non-native populations in warm climates such as Florida, where they challenge gardeners and commercial growers alike.
HerbivoreInvasiveBeetle
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Citrus foliage
- Hibiscus leaves
- Plant roots
Predators
- Spiders
- Insectivorous birds
- Assassin bugs
ThreatsTargeted insecticides, soil-dwelling nematodes, parasitic fungi
HabitatsSubtropical gardens, orchards, agricultural fields, nurseries
Life spanAdults live 3–5 months
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderColeoptera
- FamilyCurculionidae
- GenusMyllocerus
- SpeciesMyllocerus undecimpustulatus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Foliage Inspection: Look closely at notched leaf margins during warm daylight hours to spot adults feeding.
- Morning Detection: Tap infested branches gently over a light sheet at dawn to collect fallen beetles.
Ecological Competitor (c) loisfraser, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by loisfraser · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Jean Martins, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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