This Weevil Has Puppet Vibes But Drills Like a Power Tool | Deep Look

This fuzzy acorn weevil can’t crack open acorns like a woodpecker or chomp through them like a squirrel. Instead, she uses her incredibly long snout, called a rostrum, to power-drill through an acorn’s tough and resilient shell. And it's not just lunch on her mind – she's also making a nursery for her babies.

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This tiny, fuzzy acorn weevil can’t crack open acorns like a woodpecker or chomp through them like a squirrel. Instead, she uses her incredibly long snout, called a rostrum, to power-drill through their tough and resilient shell.

The weevil starts by probing an acorn’s surface with her supersensitive antennae. She likes the acorns that are still soft and green. Once she finds a good nut, she begins to chew.

The weevil’s rostrum curves downward to let her bite straight into the acorn she’s standing on. Normally, this would mean the tunnel she makes would also curve. But as the weevil eats, she walks her body in a circle around the hole, drilling an arrow-straight tunnel. The naturally arched rostrum straightens as it drills.

But this weevil has more than lunch on her mind – she’s also making a nursery. A few days after she deposits her eggs, larvae will hatch and chew their way out of the acorn. The larvae quickly burrow beneath the soil for protection, where they remain pupating into adults before emerging to start the cycle over..
--- Are acorn weevils harmful to oak trees?
The weevils have no impact on mature oak trees. The larvae eat what's inside the acorn but don't harm the tree itself.

--- Are acorn weevils pests?

Yes, the weevils are considered pests for many species of oak tree, because they lay their eggs inside the acorn. Those seeds might be less likely to sprout than uninfested acorns. But some may still manage to grow into new oak seedlings.

— Are there other species of weevils?

There are approximately 60,000 species of weevils. Weevils are beetles known for elongated snouts.

--- Do weevils carry disease?

No. Though they are associated with some of the basic foods we consume, weevils are not associated with the transmission of any infectious diseases affecting human beings.

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What Gall! The Crazy Cribs of Parasitic Wasps

These Silk-Swinging Caterpillars Will Ruin Your Picnic

You'd Never Guess What an Acorn Woodpecker Eats

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#acornweevil #oaktree #acorns

[rosaamandatuirangrobet]

Hi everybody! My name is Rosa Tuirán and I'm the producer of this Deep Look episode. If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them! Thanks for watching :)

[supremegreaser]

I love acorn weevils, they’re such an odd creature and look hilariously derpy when they drill into things with those head turns.

[lucasmendoza]

One of the main reasons I love this channel is that it is a great place to see proper insect appreciation. Also, I know weevils are one of the most destructive insects to agriculture, but I can't help, but love their little snoot faces. I also love it how insects can mimic human machines while still being organic.

[Weromano]

I love how the head is basically a ball joint, i wonder what the anatomy of that head looks like, because most insects cant rotate their heads that far.

[carlosdavid]

I am always amazed at the skills of Deep Look videographers/photographers, and one of the world's most enjoyable narrators. What an awesome team! Thank you guys for making the world better by educating and entertaining the rest of us.

[cleanerben]

two German weevils are in line for the Acorn night club;
"Hans, are we going to get in?"
"Well Fritz, weevil or weevon't"

[objective_psychology]

These are my worst nemesis when foraging acorns. But I must admit they're really cool

[biomutarist]

I only recently learned that weevils literally drill by turning their heads! It explains why some of them have a head and thorax that form ball-and-socket joints, so cool!

[kolaparadise]

The way she said ''But that's okay'' talking about the male's rostrum length!

[liinliin]

this the cutest and fluffiest bug i have ever seen

[NewMessage]

Never thought I'd describe an animal as 'vaguely steampunk', but here we are.

[blueberry_borb]

Omg I had no idea weevils are so cute! Really enjoyed this Deep Look 😊

[jimb.]

*Acorn weevils remind me of a cross between a Muppet (looks and fuzziness) and a robot (how they swivel their heads like that as they drill into the acorn).*

[jadusiv]

This is so weird. I’ve been really into weevils lately and decided they’re probably the cutest of all insects, and last week I though “I hope deep look does a weevil video some time”. Weird. And awesome. Just like weevils.

[MudSeal]

Having educational channels of this quality at our fingertips truly is a privilege. Love you deep look

[PixelPotato]

Awee they're so cute! I thought the larvae digging into the dirt was adorable too

[WampaStompa]

Boots: ✅

Snoots: ✅

Oh yeah, it’s weevil time!

[thespacecowboy]

I never knew how much I needed to see these goofy little things. They're absolutely adorable with their big eyes and comically large snouts

[Toastmaster_]

Other than jumping spiders, I can't think of any other arthropod that has such forward-facing eyes. Really helps emphasize how little these are threatened.

[sharkbite]

"Do not underestimate the power of my snoot!"