Hose-nose Cycad weevil

Photo Information

(18714)

Genre: Animals

Medium: Color

Date Taken: 2008-02-24

Categories: Insects

Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC H9, Digital ISO 200

Exposure: f/3.2, 1/60 seconds

More Photo Info: [view]

Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop

Theme(s): Insects and Spiders of Southern Africa, Insects around the world, Weevils, RARE or SIGNIFICANT contributions to TN 3, Animals from my garden [view contributor(s)]

Date Submitted: 2008-03-02 8:32

Viewed: 12188

Favorites: 2 [view]

Points: 161

[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note

Hose-nose Cycad Weevil / Antliarhis zamiae

It is is the first photo of this species on TN. This specimen's body was only �6mm long and is lying on a cycad leave that is �15mm wide. I could not find many photos of this weevil on the Internet and I was not very impressed with most of what I found on the net as a whole. It seems like the female form of these weevils could live up to the believe that some woman like to poke there long noses where it does not belong. Ha-ha.

Throughout the years Loot has worked hard to turn our garden into a lush landscape filled with many palms and cycads. All the different species of cycads creates a spectacular scenery and a delightful view. Now ask me anything about these plants and I'll have to play the dumb blonde role. To me a cycad is a cycad and that is it. Ask Loot, and it will sound as if he is giving Greek lessons the way he spits out the different names, and everything else associated with that particular plant. He is really an "Einstein" when it comes to the inside knowledge of plants like orchids, palms and cycads.

It is now the time in season when the cycads make cones, and drop literally hundreds of seeds. I asked our garden help to pick up the seeds, to keep it for later use. He put it in a bag and forgot them on the veranda where I discovered them the next morning while having my daily stroll around the house looking for something to photograph. Luckily I had the camera with me. I have heard of these weevils before, but this was the first time that I can remember that I saw them so closely. I was truly amazed and stunningly surprised at the perfect and also interesting detail of this insect, especially the females with their long hoses. See the workshop for a sample of male weevils.

Kingdom: Animalia (animals)
Class: Insecta (insects)
Subclass: Pterygota (winged insects)
Order: Coleoptera (beetles)
Suborder: Polyphaga (water, rove, scarab, longhorn, leaf, & snout beetles)
Superfamily: Curculionoidea (snout and bark beetles)
Family: Brentidae (straight-snouted primitive weevils)
Small to medium (body length 4-20mm), parallel-sided and elongate beetles, with narrow body, more or less elongate snout on head, and swollen femora. Antennae are bead-like and never clubbed.
Genus: Antliarhis
Species: zamiae

Identification
Small (body length 9mm, excluding snout) shiny brown and flattened. Females have extraordinary long thin snout (up to 3 times as long as body) with mandibles at the tip; snout much shorter in males. Elytra with longitudinal grooves.

Biology
Females drill holes with their mandibles through cycad cone-scales to reach the seeds, in which they lay batches of eggs. Larvae feed on and hollow out the inside of the seed, within which they pupate.

Habitat
Associated with Encephalartos cycads, usually on cones.

Related species
Antliarhis signatus is similar but smaller, females with a shorter snout.

Taken from the book: Field Guide to Insects of South Africa - Picker, Griffiths, & Weaving. Published by Struik Publishers.

It is probably well known to most cycad growers in South Africa that quite a number of weevils inhabit the cones of Encephalartos and other cycads in the world.

Weevils represent the largest and evolutionarily most advanced group of beetles. Their evolutionary success is largely due to their endophytic habits, i.e. their larvae generally develop inside plant tissues, where they are relatively safe from predators, parasites and adverse climatic conditions. The most conspicuous structural adaptation of weevils related to this habit is the development of an elongated snout or rostrum, particularly in the female, as it is with this organ that she drills a fine hole into the plant tissue to insert her ovipositor for laying eggs.

The associations of weevils with cycads are quite diverse and display varying degrees of intimacy, ranging from only casual development in rotting cycad tissues to highly sophisticated one in live tissues of the reproductive organs of the plants. While some of these associations are harmful to the plants (such as seed feeding), others are directly or indirectly beneficial and in several cases involve pollination, so that the cycads are often evidently highly dependent on their specific weevils for reproduction and survival.

The various weevils occurring on cycads have thus not only been associated with these plants for very long times, but they have become an integral part of the ecology and biology of these plants (especially as regards pollination). The survival of latter now clearly depends in no small measure on that of their associated weevils. From a horticultural point of view, only a very small minority of species (two in fact) are "evil weevils" and really harmful to cycads. Growers and conservationists of cycads should take care of these beetles, as other cycad insects, into much closer consideration in their efforts to conserve relict plants.

The weevils are attracted to male cycad plants by the warm, strong, appetizing odours that their ripening cones emit. The insects mate, dine and lay their eggs in the male cones, during which time they become covered in pollen. Then, in one of nature's more impressive strategies, female cycads employ a subtle form of chemical conmanship.

Studies on cycads suggest that receptive female cones initially emit an odour that mimics that of the male plants. This dupes the pollen-laden weevils, which are irresistibly drawn to leave the male plants to fly across and alight on the cones of the female plants.

Here they deposit the pollen, as they hunt for the promised banquet. But before the weevils can cause too much damage to the maturing cycad seed-cone, the female has a second chemical signal � a potent form of insect repellent. This toxic substance in the cone tissues drives away the weevils, which take refuge on the male plants once more, where they are in fact "invited" by the cones' increased starch contents to lay their own eggs and perpetuate the cycle.

Taken from: "The weevils associated with cycads - an overview" by Dr. Rolf Oberprieler, from the ENCEPHALARTOS Journal of the Cycad Society of Southern Africa No.50, June 1997.

uleko, nglen, SelenE, mariki, gerbilratz, jaycee, matatur, Silvio2006, cataclysta, boreocypriensis, jmp, Necipp, eqshannon, kebapci, fiyo, clnaef, jcoowanitwong, sandpiper2, Argus, soccer, jusninasirun, Alex99, lovenature, accassidy, Luis52, haraprasan, nirmalroberts, horia, PeterZ, NinaM, Aaltjie, Adanac, izler, smitha, Jamesp, saeedabbasi, rcrick, MMM, earthtraveler, jeanpaul, anel, Rehanna, peter_stoeckl, joey, Finland_in_Eton, CeltickRanger, rousettus, pablominto, loot, thor68, maurydv, romuszka, Michau has marked this note useful
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Discussions
Thread	Thread Starter	Messages	Updated
To eserrano: Thanks	Miss_Piggy	1	07-14 06:38
To Rehanna: Kommentaar	Miss_Piggy	1	03-12 23:54
To jusninasirun: Soccer Fan?	Miss_Piggy	1	03-09 12:24
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Critiques [Translate]

uleko (10940)
[2008-03-02 8:39]

Hello Anna,
Wow, this is a terrific shot of this Hose-nose Weevil! (What a brilliant name!) I like its pose on the big leaf where details stand out very nicely. Fine colours too. Very well done!! I think it is fascinating to see insects from your part of the world - flowers, birds and big game we see plenty of!!
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

nglen (36145)
[2008-03-02 8:45]

Hi Anna.You have written very interesting notes on this Weevil. You have captured a fine close up . with good detail and rich colours. A very unusual looking one this is. well done TFS.
Nick..

gerbilratz (3176)
[2008-03-02 9:10]

handsome weevil you have there!!..that is a serious snout, lovely background and good sharp details...TFS//P/S great notes!!!!

jaycee (25460)
[2008-03-02 9:12]

Hi Anna,

Congrats on being the first to post this Hose-nose Weevil with a perfect name. I've never looked for one on the internet but I'm not surprised that you didn't find anything this good. This is a superb shot with wonderful details. I love how you got the whole nose on the leaf. Great picture.

Jane

Silvio2006 (102073)
[2008-03-02 10:19]

Hi Anna, splendid first photo on TN of this wonderful Cycad, I never see before, thanks, superb details and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

gracious (13068)
[2008-03-02 10:59]

Hello Anna,
Your notes are most useful and informative always and it's really adds a lot of knowledge and understand of nature that surround us, much appreciated for that! also thanks to Loot too!
It's a beautiful image of macro in such closeness of a small insect!
the perfect exposure and focus brings total sharpness, natural colour and details in the shot
another pleasing presentation from you!
greeting from NZ
Tony

cataclysta (5666)
[2008-03-02 11:22]

Hi Anna
You have big problems with sharpness here but the object is fantastic As a documentary, educational shot it is a very interesting presentation. Also good diagonal composition
Best wishes
Krzysztof

jmp (8415)
[2008-03-02 11:23]

Hi Anna,
Well now the web has got a really good, neat and detail photo of this extraordinary creature. Everything here is fine, being the composition the best.
TFS, Jos� M.

Necipp (100)
[2008-03-02 12:00]

Hello Anna very nice composition and creative, Good level of detail and clarity, good focus and DOF. Nice light. tfs rgds Necip.

eqshannon (31141)
[2008-03-02 12:24]

So that's where the public got the design for a USB connector..and if you do not know what I mean look at the wide end of any USB connection and it looks similar to the antenna and such apparatus on the front of this insect...Very cool! I don't mean this literally of course, but it is a Jungian connection!
Bob

lousat (65489)
[2008-03-02 14:15]

Hi Anna,what a incredible insects! Never seen,it's very strange and particular.Thanks to show us this wonder so perfect under all corners of view,have a nice day,Luciano

kebapci (405)
[2008-03-02 16:10]

Dear Anna,
I didnt expect to see such bizarre examples. Thank you for capturing this strange insect and show us.

�mit

arfer (0)
[2008-03-02 19:49]

Hello Anna

That sounds like a cartoon character.Hose-nose is wonderfully captured and well presented.
The details and focus are very good.
Lovely lighting and colour saturation.
well composed,the diagonal leaf makes a great BG to show off this interesting weevil.
TFS

Rob

betsie (0)
[2008-03-02 22:44]

Anna - you were very fortunate to get of shot of this fellow. Not very easy to see and only there when the cyads bear fruit - so well done!

fiyo (15161)
[2008-03-02 22:52]

Hello Anna,
Excellent macro.
Lovely detail and colours,nice composition.
Nice work,very well done.TFS

clnaef (6814)
[2008-03-02 22:59]

Bonjour,
Que voil� un insecte remarquable rarement vu sur treak.
Bonne journ�e.
clnaef

Mana (18598)
[2008-03-03 0:36]

Hi Anna,
Outstanding shot of this very interesting weevil. That long nose is absolutely amazing and it must be very hard carrying it along. Very impressive sharpness and lovely colours. I like your top POV to portray its features and the diagonal composition is very effective. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

matatur (5312)
[2008-03-03 0:37]

An interesting looking specimen, to say the least Anna, that feeding rostrum, or proboscis, or whatever it is, is unbelievable, but still right there in front of our eyes, thanks to your expert macrophotography my friend, on the other hand, what it is standing on does not look like a cycad to me...
Cheers,
Mehmet

mariki (9477)
[2008-03-03 0:38]

Hello Anna,

Very nice picture of this weevil. Good sharpness. Good light and natural colours. The length of its snout is impressive.
Well done,
Cheers,
Mariki

joey (24909)
[2008-03-03 1:16]

Wow what a looooooooooooooooooooooong nose!! :-)
It must be very unweildy!
Excellent diagonal composition and a great POV.
Nice lighting and colours.
Superb detail.
A very original post of a very unique animal!
Thanks Anna,
Joe

jcoowanitwong (13754)
[2008-03-03 1:37]

Hello Anna,
Wow, that extra long snout is really fantastic. The focus is spot on. Very nice natural color and pleasant composition. Very well done and tfs.
JC

boreocypriensis (9571)
[2008-03-03 1:49]

Hello Anna

woww... what a strange and interesting curculionid species which i have not seen before friend! Extremly long nose (proboscis) is very interesting. Your capture is excelent as usual. Wonderful details, sharpnes and nice composition.
TFS.
Cheers,

Bayram

sandpiper2 (16757)
[2008-03-03 3:30]

Hi Anna

Where does one start, its such a bizarre insect, I have certainly never come across this species before. Surely it must have the longest nose(proportionately) of any living creature. Amazing.
Well capture for such a small creature, quite good sharpness and of course expertly composed. TFS

Chris

PaulH (13882)
[2008-03-03 3:49]

Hi Anna,
what an amazing looking insect, i don't think i've ever seen anything quite like it. I like the fact it seems to have a small bipod to help support the long 'snout' Your composition is perfect and this is techinally very well done with excellent clarity for such small subject. Well done!
Paul

Argus (50626)
[2008-03-03 4:07]

Hello Anna,
Talk about Pinoccio!
Excellent capture of a Weevil with the longest rostrum that I have ever seen. Presumably this is what the female uses to bore into cycad seeds.
The technical quality is more than good enough to appreciate the weevil in detail and the compositio with thdiagonally placed long rostrum is superb.
Thanks for sharing this very interesting image of what must be a first on TN!
Ivan

soccer (2557)
[2008-03-03 4:43]

Anna,

Well composed pic of an uusual subject on TN!

The detail, sharpness and clrity shown are very good and has an interesting POV to it too.

TFS,
Sheriff

SelenE (13972)
[2008-03-03 5:49]

Hi Anna,
What an interesting creature... I think yours is a truly Pinocchio compared to mine :o) Nice composition and details. TFS
Best wishes,
Selen

jusninasirun (14660)
[2008-03-03 6:45]
[+]

Hello Anna. I have never seen something like this in my part of the world so no wonder it is a first for TN. Congratulations and thanks for sharing this amazing image. I'm sure Manchester United fans would want to have this as their mascot. The name weevil is a good enough hint for the Red Devil. Are you a soccer fan Anna?

The capture is flawless and I can see that you don't need to work hard with PP. Nicely perched on this thick contrasting green leaf exposing the long, extremely long antenna which is more than 3 times the body length. Nicely cropped placing it well in the frame and as always, the notes are as interesting as your anecdotal critiques. Very well done and best regards. Jusni

Alex99 (23735)
[2008-03-03 8:33]

Hi Anna.
Both the insect and picture of it are first-class creatures. The insect is really unusual and amazing. But your reproduction of this rare species is fantastic. Pictured scene is great. I like created by leaf BG. I am impressed with DOF and razor sharpness of the entire image. I am amazed with nice colour reproduction and perfect lighting. Bravo and my best wishes. Great job.
Alexei.

lovenature (6391)
[2008-03-03 9:57]

Hi Anna
Wow, what a snout this Weevil has, it's impressive. Thank goodness we humans don't have the same attribute, kissing would be difficult LOL. The green leaf is an nice contrast to the colour of the Weevil. Nicely composed and great note.
TFS Janice

ferranjlloret (10340)
[2008-03-03 12:26]

Hola Ana,
Una especie increible que has captado perfectamente,
Saludos
Ferran

haraprasan (20403)
[2008-03-03 20:36]

Hi Anna,
A lovely capture of this strange looking long snouted weevil. Excellent details and a fine composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

nirmalroberts (2857)
[2008-03-03 21:28]

Hi Anna,
Very interesting insect. Nice capture too. TFS.
- Nirmal

horia (16656)
[2008-03-04 0:42]

Hi Anna

So this is the animal's version of a pole-jumper :))
A very interesting insect and one rarely seen on TN...thanks for posting it!
I like you upper POV her and the great angle it gave you for this lovely presentation. It gives us a great perspective for exactly how big that "nosehorn" is in comparison to the size of its body.
Very nice details and beautiful natural colors, together with a very good note, complete this terrific presentation!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

Luis52 (15809)
[2008-03-04 6:49]

Hola Anna.
Wow What can I say. It is just a beautiful bug. Long long long hose. Very sharp and clear. Excellent note Anna. I had never seen sonthing like this before.
Please say hi to Loot for me ok.
Your friend
Luis52.

PeterZ (49139)
[2008-03-04 12:20]

Hello Anna,
During my ski vacation last week I missed this wonderful photo. A unique shot of this insect. And a very unusual one. Your note is very interesting. The photo is very special by its wonderful contrasting colours and diagonal composition. Sharpness and POV are very good.
Regards,
Peter

jignasi (27917)
[2008-03-04 13:59]

Preciosa composici�n de ese curioso y bello cole�ptero Anna. El formato lo veo muy acertado y los colores son sobresalientes destacando su naturalidad. Quiz� un exceso de brillos, aunque eso es fijarse demasiado y solamente algo justa de enfoque. Por lo dem�s una toma preciosa y un excelente documento.
Saludos: Josep Ignasi Tejedor.

osse (7805)
[2008-03-04 16:34]

Hi anna
I have never seen this amazing bug before. Looks litle funny.
Wll seen and captured

osse

NinaM (4077)
[2008-03-04 17:12]

That's a neat composition, Miss Piggy, I really like this diagonal leaf crossing the frame and letting us admire this beautiful little insect with the long horn. It almost look candied and is not frightening at all, it looks good. A very nice capture Anna, thank you!

Francine

Aaltjie (0)
[2008-03-05 5:56]

Hallo Ms P
Now what have we here? Just trust a female to be otherwise!
A real funny but also interesting "gogga" you have here. Where do you get all these stuff? Do you crawl around on the grass, or under the bushes looking for funny stuff?

I wonder what happens if she bumps against something with that "pole" in front of her head? Does she then have a headache? What happens if that "pole" breaks off? What does she use to drill a hole for laying eggs? Does she ask one of the other females to drill a hole on her behalf? I am sure it is all silly questions, but does anybody ever think about it?

Photo is really sharp and has very good details. Another lovely close up of this unusual insect. Good focus and colour (as usual). I have been so inspired by all the macro work on Trek Nature and this one is no exception.

I must congratulate you on the excellent note. I did not even know that this kind of weevil existed. Now I have seen one and learned a lot about it via your notes.
Kind regards
Aaltjie
Ps. I am just glad I am not a male Nose-hose weevil. Just think how it must feel if you get poked in the side with that "pole", because there was something that you messed up. Poor guy.- Ha-ha-ha

pankajbajpai (16627)
[2008-03-05 6:00]

hello anna,
this one is really special one, i have never seen a insect like this, i liked the sharp image and the green leaf in the bg, well composed shot,
tfs & regards
pankaj

Adanac (21378)
[2008-03-05 16:44]

Hello Anna,
Simply outstanding macro image Anna, what an incredible creature you bring us to view. The details and colors you have captured allow us a great view of a marvelous snout, if I was a male I would be jealous of that beautiful nose, they look so plain. Thanks for the fantastic note and amazing Image Anna.
Rick

Janice (18832)
[2008-03-05 22:59]

Good shot of such a tiny insect Anna. Isn't it a weird loking friend? And you show it so clearly and sharply - well done
Janice

marcellr (3514)
[2008-03-06 3:02]

Ciao Anna.
Che incredibile creatura!
Grazie per farci conoscere questa splendida specie, veramente singolare ed unica.
Non potevi scegliere sfondo migliore per esaltare al massimo il suo lunghissimo rostro.
Brava,
Marcello

I punti domani :)

EOSF1 (23955)
[2008-03-06 4:20]

Hello Anna, tha's quite a great catch, strange insect but beautiful, very good macro, well done, thanks!

Mario

izler (44)
[2008-03-06 10:49]

hello Anna
wonderful macro photo of this interesting bug
composition, POV, lighting, colours, sharpness, details and informative note are great
TFS
regards
izler

cako (3395)
[2008-03-06 14:47]

Hi Anna
This is interesting insect
very good capture
well done.

smitha (4409)
[2008-03-06 21:42]

Dear Anna,
This is a superb capture! This one is new to both TN and me. I have nevr seen a log hosed Weevil before. It's so funny looking.Reminds me of Don Quixote :) You have captured it on a good green background that helps the Weevil to sand out in the picture. The focus and sharpness are spot on, so is the exposure.Thanks for providing the Male's pic in the WS and for the very informative notes.
Regards,
Smitha.

Jamesp (18906)
[2008-03-06 22:30]

Hi Anna

What a weird looking beastie! A wonderful shot - the detail and pose are great. The subject is well framed and has excellent exposure and colour.

TFS

James

ramthakur (56953)
[2008-03-07 5:59]

Anna, this is perhaps the longest nose a living creature could ever have and I laughed out loud at your pun on it :-).
Needless to say, it is a brilliant macro shot. However going by the length of its nose, it seems hard to believe that this Weevil is actually 6mm long -- tail-end to tip of the nose, right?
Thanks for sharing this wonderful picture. It was a pleasure to read your two-part note on it; I liked and enjoyed both parts :-).
Ram

saeedabbasi (5100)
[2008-03-07 6:09]

Hi Anna ,
Very nice macro.Great composition and vivid colors.
excellent details.A peefect shot.

Regards
Saeed

SkyF (8073)
[2008-03-07 6:18]

Hi Anna,
what an unusual bug, this long nose must be in it's way at times one would think.
You captured this one very well, the neutral BG does show the details off very well.
Excellent sharpness and great colors.
Very well done.
Sky

rcrick (68)
[2008-03-08 19:53]

Hello Anna,
Wow, what a terrific shot of this Hose-nose Weevil! That is one very long instrument, lovely detail, excellent lighting, great colours, just superb, all the best Cheers Rick :)

MMM (11425)
[2008-03-10 7:27]

Hi Anna
Sorry I miss that beautiful presentation of a species i had never seen before.Sharp image with good POV.ight is excelent and the image is well composed.
TFS Michel

jeanpaul (14962)
[2008-03-10 15:04]

hi Anna
Tr�s bonne composition avec ce macro, couleurs et d�tails parfaits et nets , du bon travail
f�licitations.
Merci et au revoir...JP

Nilson (4423)
[2008-03-10 17:13]

Ola Ana
Bela foto deste inseto curioso e interessante, a nitidez e cores ficaram boas e o contraste esta otimo.
Parabens
Nilson

anel (40574)
[2008-03-11 3:16]

Hello Anna,
Extraordinary insect with this long nose ,three times as long as its body! Must be embarrassing sometimes, I suppose. Excllent and sharp picture of a not well-known creature, a very appreciated contribution to TN. I see that you have an excellent mentor!
Thanks also for your kind critique of my Machaon.
Have a nice day
Anne

warnzy (20)
[2008-03-11 6:06]

Hi Anna,

What a big nose you have? What an amazing-looking insect and I can't imagine that that shout doesn't get in the way. Evolution is an amazing thing, with asthetic winners and losers. I suspect I fall into the latter category along with wart hogs and hose-nose Cycad Weevils.

Really interestng posting, a well taken photograph and thanks for sharing.

Mike

earthtraveler (3483)
[2008-03-11 11:03]

Hi Anna, You really nabbed this one with spot on focus and great composition. Quite the unusual creature seen well with your fine POV and lighting. Well done
tfs Richard... see you later

lizzie (2855)
[2008-03-12 13:22]

Hi Anna,

Wow, and wow again!
What an impressive image of this strange little creature.
With such a long nose, the females for sure have trouble to mind their own business!!!!!
On a more serious note, again an amazing macro offering great details. Congratulations for this unique shot!

Lise

waylim (1765)
[2008-03-12 20:28]

Anna,
Good shot with great detail of the Weevil, good color and clarity. I don't even know of it until now. Tells me how littel I know about bugs. TFS
Way

Rehanna (18)
[2008-03-12 23:34]
[+]

Hello Anna

Ek is nou so bietjie ge"confused" tussen Loot se olifant slurp en hierdie "weevil" se lang neus. (Kan jy glo, my woordeboek s� 'n "weevil" is 'n kalender(?). Nou vra ek jou wat nou mens?) Ek dog dit is net mannetjies wat sulke lang goeters het en hier op my oudag moet ek nou kom staan en leer dat die natuur soms snaakse grappe kan uitdeel op sekere spesies. Die arme ou kewertjie. Dit moet seker 'n elendige lewe wees om met so 'n monsteragtige snawel van 'n Pinoccio neus deur die lewe te gaan. Ergste van alles is sy kan dit nie eers wegsteek nie en nog voor enige iemand of iets haar kon sien of voordat sy om �n hoek gekom het, dan het hulle reeds haar neus gesien. Dit is voorwaar �n interessante ou goggatjie wat jy hier afgeneem het en ek het die foto terde� geniet.

Groete
Rehanna

iris (3088)
[2008-03-13 4:58]

Hello Anna,
A very interesting story and a very interesting find.I have n'ver come across something like this, a detailed macro of the Hose-nose....haha ..what a name too...!!!

The diagonal placement of the subject and the brown against green makes for a brilliant composition.The sharpness and the details you have achieved stands out very well.

Thanks for this informative share.
Cheers

claudine (0)
[2008-03-14 11:15]

Hi Anna,
This is a superb composition! I really like how you framed this original picture of unusual specie! I have never seen this rare insect before and I think it is beautiful! Your notes are, as always, very useful. Thanks a lot for sharing this interesting capture.
Claudine

peter_stoeckl (11530)
[2008-03-15 12:32]

Dear Anna,
a phantastic tiny little creature that you captured so very well. Incredibly shaped nose of that weevil. Excellent presentation, perfectly composed. My congratulations. Thank you! With kind regards,
Peter

FunkyMunky (3154)
[2008-03-17 3:29]

Wow, once again, a great photo! If this was Pinoccoi he would be telling a massive lie! :-)
Thanks also for the comprehensive fact list.
Well done!
Peter

Finland_in_Eton (876)
[2008-03-18 5:26]

Lovely shot of this interesting beetle... and I thought the wood-borer in the USA had an unusual anatomy, lol. Very nice composition and colors are bright but natural. Good sharpness and detail.

TFS, Mish

CeltickRanger (37400)
[2008-03-19 13:15]

hello Anna

WOW ! what a superb macrophoto shot of this insect,
i love your POV and vertical framing, and the way that you
framed in the image diagonally the insect,
excellent sharpness and details, TFS

Asbed

rousettus (19818)
[2008-03-20 3:27]

Hello Anna,
Amazing perfect macro shot of this interesting Weevil. Excellent sharp details. Great composition diagonally. POV and colors great. I saw many species of this family, but this is really very different with extraordinary long thin snout. Thanks for sharing, best wishes
Ahmet

vmukherjee (1472)
[2008-03-21 1:30]

Grea shot! Really strange looking insect. Sharply focussed and good composition.

pablominto (14563)
[2008-03-21 4:43]

Hello Anna,
Someone said there are many strange creatures in the Garden of God..!
I will vote for this as one of them, hehehe...
The longest nose in the world body size taken into consideration, and very well depicted with sharp fine details... educational quality!
Greetings,
Pablo -

saguzar (7202)
[2008-03-21 11:30]

Hallo Anna,
Unusual picture for me , I never imagined such kind of weevil with a proboscis larger than its body! A very odd insect. Well captrured, thanks for sharing
Regards
Hern�n

loot (11276)
[2008-03-27 23:58]
[2]

Hi Anna

You should take a can of DOOM � Insecticide with you when you go on your rounds in the garden and after you've photographed all these pests give them a little spray just to say thanks. While some text books claim that these weevils may not be all too harmful for the cycads, they are probably correct, but that is definitely not the case for the seeds. I have seen complete batches of seed destroyed by these long-nosed pests and for nursery men who are dependant upon seed germination it is an absolute disaster.

Anyway, you have done well to spot these weevils and in the process alert me of their presence in the garden. I am sure you won't fine another one next season to photograph though. The angled placing on the diagonal cycad leaf is excellent for the composition. The exposure was well managed and the colour rendition is stunning.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

thor68 (5674)
[2008-04-13 10:24]

hose-nose?! *lol* what an amazing bug, never seen something like this before. i guess he has a hard timing moving without
bumping into everything. terrific close-up with good sharpness and unbelivable loooong details. fascinating job & best wishes, thor.

maurydv (36428)
[2008-06-04 15:19]

Splendida immagine per un insetto spettacolare, eccellenti POV e composizione, straordinaria nitidezza e super definizione di ogni pi� piccolo dettaglio, fantastici e splendenti i colori, bellissima la carnosit� della foglia con una ricchezza di sfumature di verde. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

foozi (25839)
[2008-07-20 2:34]

Hello Anna,
what you have written is very very true. TN really allows us to share the creation of the earth. We shall treasure them veru much for the beauty and the purpose of every creation.
Like this one, it was such a wonderful creature. I just cant imagine that such insect exist.
I believe there is more to come from.
Thanks for sharing and thanks for visiting my post with lovely conversation that you gave. I like it very much,

Regards,
Foozi

zumoduvas (2535)
[2008-10-24 6:06]

Hello Anna.

Excellent image, very good detailsand colors.

Regards.
Jose Luis.

romuszka (2263)
[2008-11-27 3:12]

Witaj Aniu,
Unusual specimen. It presents on large leaf beautifully. very good colours and sharpness. You live in very curious country, among amazing nature.
Pozdrawiam - Roma

Macroleo (886)
[2009-02-12 0:03]

Hello Anna,
superb macro, fantastic beetle! I like composition, great details and colours!

Best regards, Leonid

eserrano (296)
[2009-07-14 6:30]
[+]

This is an awesome specimen in a splendid shot rich in color and detail. Your photo work is of outstanding quality. Congratulations.

Michau (577)
[2010-09-27 22:55]

Very funny beetle and its name. Very well composed picture, however it lacks a little details for me (maybe it was cropped to hard?). Cheers,

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