What makes a little hole in acorns ?

posie · #1 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009, 09:04 PM

Hello everyone.This is my first request for info, since I joined WAB .I was picking up acorns today and noticed that some were not as heavy as others. Each lighter one had ONE tiny hole in it's 'shell' , a similar size hole to a woodworm hole. Obviously they were lighter in weight because some , if not all the seed had been eaten. What is doing this , is it an 'insect' or something , eating it itself , or is it something laying eggs in each acorn , so that the larvae have food when they hatch. Thanks(in anticipation)

loripo · #2 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009, 10:13 PM

There is a weevil that does this , using acorns to 'drill'into and lay eggs for it's larvae. Hopefully someone will be able to confrim this and give more details.

david156 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009, 10:17 PM

I agree with loripo. Could be Acorn Weevil (Curculio glandium), but I would wait for the expects on here too

posie · #4 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 12:57 AM

Thanks guys, now I can be cocky and tell everyone what it is . What is a weevil, is it a flying insect, if not , how does it get right up our trees . has it got a boring or drilling 'tool' at its muzzle,or does it use sort of gnawing teeth ? It must be tiny, to get through that little hole.Isn't nature wonderful.

Jason Green · #5 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 01:24 AM

Hi Posie,

Weevils are beetles. The Acorn Weevil Curculio glandium (though I'm sure others have similar habits/associations) is in the Curculionidae family, though there are about six different families of them in the UK.

Take care,

Jason

posie · #6 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 01:31 AM

Thanks Jason,

loripo · #7 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 07:32 AM

Here's a photo of one from the Gallery...
Acorn Weevil - Curculio glandium - Wildlife Photography

posie · #8 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 01:55 PM

I've been to Google, and OH I SEE !

the adult weevil doesn't get into the acorn , it lays it's eggs into the hole. Why didn't someone explain that.. I bet all you 'experts' were having a laugh !

posie · #9 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by posie

Thanks guys, now I can be cocky and tell everyone what it is . What is a weevil, is it a flying insect, if not , how does it get right up our trees . has it got a boring or drilling 'tool' at its muzzle,or does it use sort of gnawing teeth ? It must be tiny, to get through that little hole.Isn't nature wonderful.

why didn't anybody answer my questions ?

solus · #10 (**permalink**) 04-11-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by posie

why didn't anybody answer my questions ?

Possibly because a lot of folk are at work at the moment and maybe the "bug" people don't look in to the plant forums too much? Might be an idea to post your weevil question in the Insects and Invertebrates forum...