Hello Hive community!
Today, I'm sharing my latest iNaturalist observation, a creature I've nicknamed the "bitterleaf weevil." I've been seeing these guys around for a long time now, ever since about a year after we planted our bitterleaf plant. They seem to be exclusively attracted to it, which always makes me wonder why!
A Closer Look at the Bitterleaf Weevil
Here are several views of this fascinating insect:
A Closer Look: Classification of the Lixus Weevil
For those interested in the scientific details, here's the classification for the genus Lixus, which includes your bitterleaf visitor:
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Coleoptera (Beetles) |
| Family | Curculionidae (True Weevils) |
| Genus | Lixus |
A Little More on the Lixus Weevil
Lixus is a large genus of weevils, also known as snout beetles, within the true weevil family (Curculionidae). Many species in this genus are known to be associated with various herbaceous plants, often feeding on their stems or leaves. While some Lixus species can be considered agricultural pests due to the damage they cause, they typically have an elongated body and a distinctive snout.
My green visitor seems quite harmless at first glance, but I've noticed it does cause damage to both the stems and leaves of my bitterleaf plant. It's fascinating how specific they are to just this plant!
My Personal Encounter with the Bitterleaf Weevil
As I mentioned, these green insects have been regulars on my bitterleaf plant for a while now. I actually managed to catch this particular weevil yesterday, right after my first Actifit walk of the day. I was also able to capture a few other interesting insects, which I'll be sharing in upcoming posts – so stay tuned for those!
It's always a good reminder to look closely at the nature around us, even in our own backyards. You never know what fascinating creatures you might find!
iNaturalist Observation Snapshot:
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Identified as | Genus Lixus (likely a Weevil) |
| Observer | dreeyor |
| iNaturalist ID | 299641362 |
| Observation Date | July 19, 2025 05:42 PM |
| Location | Nigeria (Lagos, Ogun) |
| License | CC BY-NC |
| Device Used | TECNO MOBILE LIMITED |
✨ View the full observation on iNaturalist! ✨
You can also find more of my observations and art on:
Thank you for reading and exploring the small wonders of nature with me!