Located off the southeastern coast of Africa, Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. Isolated from the African mainland for nearly 90 million years, Madagascar’s plants and animals have evolved with their own unique features, creating species found nowhere else on earth. Incredible animals like lemurs, chameleons, spear-nosed snakes, Asity birds and the amazing Giraffe Weevil. Aptly named, the Giraffe Weevil’s most unique feature is its elongated neck. And while females have long necks, the males’ necks are REALLY long, two to three times as long as the female’s. With a black body covered by bright red elytra (or wing covers), they sort of look like a black and red construction crane. As with all things in nature that may look a little bizarre, these long necks evolved for a reason. They’re used for fighting. Using their necks like a long lever, males will battle other males over a female. But rather than simply engaging in neck-to-neck combat, males will perform elaborate dances, involving the swaying of their necks. The female acts like a referee, closely observing the fight. If she approves of the winner, she’ll allow him to mate. After mating, the female will search for a leaf that’s just right. She’ll make a number of incisions and begin rolling up a portion of the leaf, laying just a single egg within the roll she’s created. Once she’s done, she’ll snip off the leaf roll, allowing it to fall to the forest floor where it will serve as a source of food for her developing larva. Incredibly, this species was only discovered in 2008, so there’s still a lot to learn about their unique lifestyle.
Giraffe Weevil
