Large Pine Weevil - Hylobius abietis

Description

This large weevil (10 -13mm) has orange or creamy-yellow bands on the elytra across a dark background.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, good photos are required that show the key ID features. Also state the beetle's size in the comments box.

Habitat

Coniferous forests and areas with coniferous trees. The name is slightly misleading because Large Pine Weevils feed on the living bark of most woody or herbaceous plants.

When to see it

Mostly seen from spring to autumn.

Life History

Hylobius abietis and species of Hylastes (Black Pine Beetles) breed principally in stumps and roots of felled trees of a wide range of conifer species. The adults hibernate overwinter and then feed on the bark of mainly sapling fir, pine and spruce. This damage can prevent the young tree growing. Adults can live up to four years.

UK Status

Although it is widespread throughout Britain, it is rather local, with populations being dependant on the food plant being available in numbers.

VC55 Status

Infrequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Pine Weevil
Species group:
Beetles
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Curculionidae
Records on NatureSpot:
5
First record:
11/04/2009 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
07/08/2023 (Goddard, Katie)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.

Latest images

Latest records