Cionus hortulanus

Cionus hortulanus – is a small weevil that is about 4mm in size and is found fairly widely in Southern Britain.  Most commonly it is found on figwort.  It is similar to the Figwort weevil in size – Cionus scrophulariae – but much different in colour ( the figwort weevil is a darker black weevil).  I found some of these today at Blashford Lakes, and took them on my Canon MPE-65mm lens at various magnifications.

They have a habit of falling off the plant when you touch them – here is a mating pair on the plant.

Mating Weevils - 3 Shots Stacked
Canon EOS 760D (65mm, f/11, 1/200 sec, ISO200)
Mating Weevils – 3 Shots Stacked

The next ones were taken after they came “alive again” – on a lower leaf.  They play dead to avoid predators.

Cionus hortulanus - 2 shots stacked in Helicon Focus
Canon EOS 760D (65mm, f/11, 1/200 sec, ISO200)
Cionus hortulanus – 2 shots stacked in Helicon Focus

The rest of the pictures are all single shots, unlike the two above that are stacked.

Cionus hortulanus
Canon EOS 760D (65mm, f/11, 1/200 sec, ISO200)
Cionus hortulanus

I find they almost look a little sad in some poses – so with the help of Googles Nik Viveza to change the hue of the background, I present – feeling blue.

Feeling Blue
Canon EOS 760D (65mm, f/11, 1/200 sec, ISO200)
Feeling Blue

Finally these two macro photos are of the same weevil looking over the leaf.

The waiting game
Canon EOS 760D (65mm, f/11, 1/200 sec, ISO200)
The waiting game
Just hanging out
Canon EOS 760D (65mm, f/11, 1/200 sec, ISO200)
Just hanging out

Map of Location

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