Gum-tree Weevil
Size 4mm. This is a species that occupies a rather unlikely habitat. It lives on gum-trees with very rough bark and lots of resin. I spotted it a while ago but it was too small to photograph properly. Yesterday, I saw it again but missed out on a really good photo despite the fact that I stood about 90 minutes in front of that tree waiting patiently. There were several individuals nearby, but most of them went upwards and away from me. They are quite busy, and when they are not they are buried deep in-between some bark. The animals looks dark, almost black. Under light it shows more as a reddish-brown. The abdomen has longitudinal ridges with bumps on them. The thorax looks like lots of tiny grey pustules had been dispersed over it. Abdomen and thorax don't meet in a straight line but sort of in a wavy pattern. The front of the head looks like it were mobile, with a bright red behind the eyes visible. The head is tapering forward, almost looks triangular. The snout is very long, thin and probably nearly cylindrical. It was hardly ever visible. I didn't see any antennae. Legs are very scaly, muscular and long. Maybe it is a Haplonyx species. I have this species seperate because I think that it is special in terms of its unique habitat. Coupled with its small size it could be an underrepresented species. Hopefully, I'll find it again and manage to take better photos.
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