Cerius otagensis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cerius otagensis |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
 Nationally Critical (NZ TCS) |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cerius
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| Species: |
otagensis
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Cerius otagensis is a special kind of weevil, which is a type of beetle. This weevil is unique because it cannot fly! It lives only in New Zealand, specifically in a region called Central Otago. So far, scientists have only found this tiny beetle in two places there.
How Was This Weevil Found?
Scientists have only ever found four female Cerius otagensis weevils. The male weevil of this species is still a mystery!
The first discovery happened on November 25, 1974. A scientist named J. S. Dugdale found three of these weevils. He was at a place called Gentle Annie Creek in the Kawarau Gorge. He found them by gently shaking a Carmichaelia shrub. This method is called "beating" a shrub.
Later, on October 27, 1981, another weevil was found. J. C. Watt collected it about 4 kilometers north of Lindis Crossing. This one was also found by beating a Carmichaelia petriei shrub. Because all the weevils were found on Carmichaelia plants, scientists think Cerius otagensis likely lives on these shrubs.
What Does This Weevil Look Like?
This weevil was first officially described in 1982 by B. A. Holloway. The main specimen, called the holotype, is kept safe. It is at the New Zealand Arthropod Collection at Landcare Research.
Cerius otagensis is a very small beetle. It measures between 2.4 and 2.7 millimeters long. That's about the size of a tiny ant! It is also about 1.3 to 1.4 millimeters wide.
Its head is covered with shiny silver and yellow scales. The rest of its body also has mostly yellow and silver scales. But it also has some dark brown scales mixed in. Scientists looked inside one weevil. They found pieces of fungi in its gut. This suggests that Cerius otagensis eats a type of fungi, possibly from the genus Stigmella.
