Strawberry Blossom Weevil - Anthonomus rubi
A small grey-black weevil around 2.5 to 3mm long with a tiny pale scutellum.
Archarius salicivorus looks very similar but has a more rounded appearance when viewed from above. See ID Aids below.
Your specimen should have these features:
- 2-3.2mm
- blackish, unpatterned body with pale scutellum
- fore tibia not thickened in the middle
- antennal pedicel around 2.5x longer than broad (1st segment after the joint)
These small black weevils are very similar and don't have any obvious distinguishing features. However with a bit of practice they can be separated by eye. The easiest comparison is to look directly down on the beetle - Archarius has a rounder appearance with a barrel-shaped pronotum.
Unless identified by a recognised expert, photographic evidence is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used. Note the beetle's size and describe the identifying characters. It is advisable to retain the specimen in case further checks are needed.
Especially common around strawberry and raspberry crops.
This insect is a particularly problematic pest of strawberry in Europe, in some cases responsible for up to 80% loss of the berry crop. Adults feed on strawberry foliage, and females lay one egg per flower bud; larvae develop inside buds.
Common and widespread in England and Wales.
Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 23 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020
UK Map
Species profile
- Common names
- Strawberry-blossom Weevil
- Species group:
- Beetles
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Coleoptera
- Family:
- Curculionidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 12
- First record:
- 16/08/2011 (Peacock, H A)
- Last record:
- 04/08/2024 (Calow, Graham)
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.