Weevils

Weevils are a type of beetle known for their long snouts. There are more than 97,000 species of weevils, making them one of the largest groups of animals on Earth. Most weevils are very small, only a few millimeters long. They eat plants, grains, and seeds.

The Long Snout

A weevil's long snout is called a rostrum. The mouth is at the very tip. Some weevils use their snout to drill into nuts and seeds to lay eggs inside. When the babies hatch, they eat the seed from the inside out.

Weevils and People

Some weevils are pests that damage crops and stored food. The boll weevil once caused huge damage to cotton farms in America. Rice weevils can get into stored grain. But many weevils are harmless and play an important role in nature by helping break down plant material.

Fun Facts

• There are over 97,000 known species of weevils, more than almost any other animal group.
• The boll weevil caused billions of dollars in damage to American cotton crops.
• Some weevils are so small they can live inside a single grain of rice.

Did You Know?

One town in Alabama built a monument to the boll weevil! When the weevils destroyed their cotton crops, farmers had to grow other crops like peanuts, which made them more money in the end.