Phyllobius pomaceus

Phyllobius pomaceus (subgenus Metaphyllobius) is a species of short-nosed weevil commonly known as the nettle weevil.^[2]

Phyllobius pomaceus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Polyphaga
Infraorder:	Cucujiformia
Family:	Curculionidae
Genus:	Phyllobius
Species:	P. pomaceus
Binomial name
Phyllobius pomaceus Gyllenhal, 1834
Synonyms[1]
Curculio auratus Geoffroy, 1785 Curculio prasinus Olivier, 1791 Curculio urticae De Geer, 1775

Description

Phyllobius pomaceus is a slender and elongate weevil, measuring 7–9 mm in length with bright metallic green scales, combined with variations of gold, blue and copper colour, on its elytra.^[3] Larvae measure up to 8 mm in length, with a creamy white coloured body and dark head.^[4]

Habitat and distribution

The beetle is associated with nettles (Urtica dioica) and Meadow Sweet (Filipendula ulmaria).^[3][5] P. pomaceus can also be a pest of strawberries.^[4]

Larvae live within the soil feeding on roots, adults above ground on the leaves and stems of their host plants.