Echinapoderus ugandensis (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea: Attelabidae: Attelabinae)
Echinapoderus ugandensis is a species of Attelabidae, one of several families in the superfamily Curculionoidea, collectively called weevils. Most weevils have the antennae strongly elbowed while in the Attelabidae the antennae are straight, the primitive condition. Attelabids are relatively easy to recognize. Besides the straight antennae, the pronotum (the 1st segment after the head) is much narrower than the width of the elytra (the tough, modified fore wings of beetles) at the base of the abdomen. Attelabids are usually dark-coloured, in shades of brown and black. Many species have the thorax and abdomen sporting robust, spikey protuberances, much like those of Echinapoderus ugandensis, the insect of the week. Echina, the genus prefix, is from the Greek meaning hedgehog or sea urchin; spikey indeed.
The family numbers about 700 species distributed among 20 genera and are known by the common name of “leaf-rolling beetles”. The name refers to the behaviour of many attelabids whereby the female lays an egg on a leaf and rolls the latter into a cylindrically-shaped nest looking somewhat like a chapati, a tortilla, or a cigar. While she rolls, her mate protects her throughout that process, fighting off potential suitors. After hatching, then, the larva is provided with both a secure home and, at the same time, its daily bread. After having finished rolling the leaf, the female snips a piece of the leaf stem, weakening it. Over time the stem breaks along the snip line and the leaf falls to the ground. Pupation normally takes place within the rolled leaf. To get an idea of what the rolling process is like, have a look at this 3-minute video which includes, among several other animals, the bizarrely shaped attelabid species Trachelophorus giraffa, for obvious reasons better known as the “giraffe beetle”. The genus Trachelophorus is endemic to Madagascar, another good reason to visit that amazing island.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11a4BWqivGk
(Perhaps turn the volume down a bit – It’s a little grating”)
Although phytophagus, attelabids are of only minor agricultural importance. Most species are found in forests and woodlands. We collected Echinapoderus ugandensis in Kaberua forest at the base of Mt. Elgon at 2052 m above sea level.
Credits: Dr Robert Copeland