Cramp Ball weevil

[Fenlander]

This is the 'Cramp Ball Weevil'. A 'primitive' weevil Anthribidae Pratyrhinus It's a fairly specific feeder on Cramp Balls (King Alfred's cakes) Daldinia concentrica and the larvae make galleries just below the surface of the fungus, making them 'crunch' when you try and pull one off.

 

[Wayne]

This little creature depends on the cramp balls. One of the reasons we should always harvest far and wild when searching for bushcraft materials.

 

[laurens ch]

Thanks for sharing ,how big are these weevils by the way?

 

[Buckshot]

I've had several collapse on me when picking them.
So that's the reason...

Cheers for that

Mark

 

[jdlenton]

i've seen ther galleries before but never known what caused them thanks kevin

James

 

[Rod]

Cheers Kevin

 

[Rob]

Superb! Now I know why they go crunch too :You_Rock_

 

[Fenlander]

Thanks for sharing ,how big are these weevils by the way?

About 10-12mm long

 

[tomtom]

i have a tin in my downstairs bolier room which i keep a load of tinder in to dry out.. the other day i opened it after a few months to find it swarming with them and filled with black dust!