Strawberry Blossom Weevil - Anthonomus rubi

Description

A small grey-black weevil around 2.5 to 3mm long with a tiny pale scutellum.

Similar Species

Archarius salicivorus looks very similar but has a more rounded appearance when viewed from above. See ID Aids below.

Identification difficulty
ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)

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)
Identification aids

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.

ID image

 

Recording advice

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.

Habitat

Especially common around strawberry and raspberry crops.

Life History

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.

UK Status

Common and widespread in England and Wales.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland. There were a total of 23 VC55 records for this species up to March 2015.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

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.

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