caterpillar eating a weevil, ID?

Toby · #1 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 05:25 PM

found this today on wall of building where I work in Kew, SW London. I'd be interested to know the species of caterpillar as we keep a log of all the critters found on site.

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 05:30 PM

Ruby Tiger, interesting behaviour.

Toby · #3 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Ruby Tiger, interesting behaviour.

thanks, I think the weevil was in a spiders web, whether already dead or not I don't know.

Klaas Reißmann · #4 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 05:58 PM

Hi Toby,

that was my first thought: it looks dead and isn't that spiderweb around the beetle!? Did you watch the caterpilar feeding the weevil or did you just take some photos?

Rregards
Klaas

Jason Green · #5 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 08:59 PM

The weevil is the Broad-nosed type, Curculionidae sub-family Entiminae.

EDIT: Just realised you weren't asking about the weevil. Ah well, just Information Overload

Klaas Reißmann · #6 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 09:23 PM

Hi Jason,

the weevil is genus Polydrusus or Phyllobius. I'm more into Polydrusus, but it is just a feeling and nothing I can see that makes it that.

Regards
Klaas

Toby · #7 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Green

The weevil is the Broad-nosed type, Curculionidae sub-family Entiminae.

EDIT: Just realised you weren't asking about the weevil. Ah well, just Information Overload

all info gratefully received

Toby · #8 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klaas Reißmann

Hi Toby,

that was my first thought: it looks dead and isn't that spiderweb around the beetle!? Did you watch the caterpilar feeding the weevil or did you just take some photos?

Rregards
Klaas

I looked closely and it appeared to be nibbling at the weevil - maybe trying to free it

I was in a bit of a hurry as I was on my tea break.