Weevil species occur in a wide range of colors and body shapes. Many are slender or oval-shaped insects. Depending on the species, weevils range in size from about 3 mm to over 10 mm in length. They are usually dark-colored—brownish to black. Some have scales or shiny hairs covering part of their bodies. The most distinctive feature of weevils is the shape of their head. An adult weevil has an elongated head that forms a snout. The mouth is at the end of the snout. Some weevils have a snout that is as long as the body.
Like their appearance, the habits of weevils also vary by species. Some lay their eggs in the spring near the host plant, the larvae will then hide underground and feed on the plant’s roots. Some larvae will stay underground during winter and surface as fully grown adults in the spring.
Weevils feed on plants both in the larval and adult stages. They can be extremely detrimental to the livelihood of crops. Some weevils also attack stored grains and seeds, the most common of which is known as the rice weevil.
Weevils can be difficult for a homeowner to recognize when they are on the outside of the home. However, once this pest finds an entry point to the house, homeowners will often find hundreds of them crawling on walls and other surfaces. Most likely, homeowners seeing weevils are dealing with the stored product species.
A pest control professional should be contacted for assistance.