ColeopteraColeoptera Index Amarygmus sp Anoplognathus sp Aphanestes gymnopleura Blackburnium cavicolle Buprestidae Carphurus Cerambycidae Chalcopteroides (Chalcopterus Beetle) Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles) Coleoptera (Beetles) Curculionidae Dung Beetle Eretes australis Helea scaphiformis Hydrophilus Ladybirds (Beetles) Lepidiota Lucanidae Lycidae Neospades sp Omorgus Paropsine Beetle Paropsisterna sp Phorticosomus sp Protaetia fusca Pterohelaeus sp Rhipiceridae Scarabaeidae Tenebrionidae Xylophilostenus octophyllus

Rhinotia haemoptera is a striking looking Belid weevil (in the family Belidae), commonly known as the Red Weevil.

Rhinotia haemoptera, the red weevil, is a weevil species in the family Belidae found in Australia. They resemble net-winged beetles (Lycidae) in colour and are thought to mimic them.

Rhinotia haemoptera, QLD © Iskander Kaliananda
Rhinotia haemoptera, QLD © Iskander Kaliananda

This distinctive colouration, is part of the Lycid Beetle batesian mimicry ring, that have noxious chemical defense, which warns off predators to not eat insects with this colour pattern. Rhinotia haemoptera has been investigated and it has no chemical defenses of its own (Moore and Brown, 1989).

Rhinotia haemoptera, QLD © Iskander Kaliananda
Rhinotia haemoptera, QLD © Iskander Kaliananda

Rhinotia haemoptera distribution enccompasses SE Queensland, down to Tasmania and across to South Australia. The adults feed on the leaves and branchlets of predominantly Acacia species.

Rhinotia haemoptera, QLD © Iskander Kaliananda
Rhinotia haemoptera, QLD © Iskander Kaliananda
Rhinotia haemoptera, QLD © Iskander Kaliananda
Rhinotia haemoptera, QLD © Iskander Kaliananda
Rhinotia haemoptera, QLD © Iskander Kaliananda
Rhinotia haemoptera, QLD © Iskander Kaliananda
  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Arthropoda
  • Class: Insecta
  • Informal: Pterygotes
  • Order: Coleoptera
  • Suborder: Polyphaga
  • Superfamily: Curculionoidea
  • Family: Belidae
  • Subfamily: Belinae
  • Tribe: Belini
  • Genus: Rhinotia
  • Species: Rhinotia haemoptera

Footnote & References

  1. Photographs Rhinotia haemoptera, QLD © Iskander Kaliananda
  2. Australasian Beetles Only, Facebook group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1180404322409639
  3. Rhinotia haemoptera Kirby, 1819, Red Weevil, Atlas of Living Australia, https://bie.ala.org.au/species/Rhinotia haemoptera

ColeopteraColeoptera Index Amarygmus sp Anoplognathus sp Aphanestes gymnopleura Blackburnium cavicolle Buprestidae Carphurus Cerambycidae Chalcopteroides (Chalcopterus Beetle) Chrysomelidae (Leaf Beetles) Coleoptera (Beetles) Curculionidae Dung Beetle Eretes australis Helea scaphiformis Hydrophilus Ladybirds (Beetles) Lepidiota Lucanidae Lycidae Neospades sp Omorgus Paropsine Beetle Paropsisterna sp Phorticosomus sp Protaetia fusca Pterohelaeus sp Rhipiceridae Scarabaeidae Tenebrionidae Xylophilostenus octophyllus

InsectsBees Beetles Blattodea Butterflies Coleoptera Cicada Crabronidae Diptera Dragonflies & Damselflies Formicidae Hemiptera Heteroptera Moths Orthoptera Orthopteroid Processionary Caterpillar Stink Bugs, Shield Bugs and Allies Wasps Water Scorpion (Laccotrephes tristis) Witchetty Grub