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Coniocleonus nigrosuturatus is a species of weevil found in Europe, Asia, and North Africa that feeds on the roots of Erodium cicutarium (Common Stork's-bill). This plant parasite overwinters as adults, emerges in spring to mate, and its larvae pupate in earthen cocoons in the soil. The species prefers dry, sunny grasslands with sparse vegetation and can be an endangered species in some central European countries.
Taxonomy and Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Coleoptera (beetles)
Family: Curculionidae (true weevils)
Genus: Coniocleonus
Species: Coniocleonus nigrosuturatus (Goeze, 1777)
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The species has a wide range across North Africa, a large part of Asia (including western Siberia), and most of Europe, excluding the British Isles and the northernmost regions.
Coniocleonus nigrosuturatus thrives in dry, sunny grasslands with sparse vegetation and open, disturbed ground.
They are often found in pastures, along road margins, and in areas with a proper disturbance regime, such as from vehicle traffic or grazing.
Overwintering: Overwintering adults emerge in early spring and begin feeding and mating on their host plants.
Larval stage: Larvae develop in the soil, feeding externally on the base of the stem of the host plant, Erodium cicutarium.
Pupation: In early July, the larvae pupate in a closed earthen cell in the soil.
Adult activity: High adult activity is observed from mid-April to mid-May.
In some central European countries, Coniocleonus nigrosuturatus is considered an endangered species.
