New Weevil Emerges From Volcanic Subsoil Site in Spain

Posted on June 3, 2015

Spanish scientists have discovered a new species of weevil in the subsoil of Gran Canaria, which is one of the Canary Islands. The blind weevil is a brownish-grey color which matches the subsoil fauna. It has a flattened body and thorax. The scientists have named it Oromia thoracica.

The weevil inhabits a site that was formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. There have been eruptions on the island as recently as 3500 years ago. It is five millimeters in length. The weevil's thorax extends over its head like a heart-shaped shield. The scientists believe the beetle feeds of the rotting roots of dying bushes. The discovery and classification of the weevil have required patience as specimens have not been easy to come by.

Heriberto Lopez, researcher at the CSIC, says in a statement, "The first specimen of Oromia thoracica was not caught until six years after the start of the study, and we had to wait another four years before another five known specimens fell into the traps."

Antonio Machado, an independent scientist and co-author of the study, says, "Its extremities are a little longer and flatter, and its body is flattened, which indicates a greater degree of adaptation to the underground environment or life in very narrow cracks."

A research paper on the new species can be found here in the journal, Zootaxa.

INSECTS