Botany Bay Weevil - Chrysolopus spectabilis Card
Australian native insect
Reproduced from an original watercolour painting by Cheryl Hodges
Greeting card 10 x 15cm, blank inside with white envelope
Text on reverse of card reads:
The striking Botany Bay Weevil caught the eye of Banks and Solander
during their voyage on the Endeavour in 1770, and became one of only five
insects collected. This was the first Australian insect officially described,
with Danish entomologist Johann Christian Fabricius naming it Curculio
spectabilis - spectabilis translating to admirable or remarkable, because of its
beautiful iridescent blue/green scales. In 1817 the genus was transferred to
Chrysolopus, resulting in its current name Chrysolopus spectabilis.
This weevil occurs in the eastern and southern states of Australia, and
grows to approximately 25mm long. It feeds almost exclusively on particular
species of Acacia.