Stretched Saint Helena Weevil (Tychiorhinus porrectus)
This species was described in 1877, it was endemic to the island of Saint Helena, where it apparently was restricted to the central ridge.
T. V. Wollaston, the author of the species writes in 1877.:
“…, – the whole of my examples (only eleven, however, in numer) having been taken by myself at Cason’s. Although without doubt attached normally to the cabbage-trees (from whithin the loose rotting masses of which some of my individuals were obtained), it would appear nevertheless, like so many of the Cossonids in that particular locality, to have adapted itself to the pines, – beneath the old fallen trunks of which the majority of my specimens were captured.” [1]
The Stretched Saint Helena Weevil appears to have managed to adapt itself to the changed circumstances caused by the human settlers on the island, at least for a while – it was not found during recent field searches and is now feared to be extinct. [2]
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References:
[1] T. Vernon Wollaston: Coleoptera Sanctae-Helenae. London: John Van Voorst, Paternoster Row 1877
[2] Howard Mendel; Philip Ashmole; Myrtle Ashmole: Invertebrates of the Central Peaks and Peak Dale, St. Helena. Report for the St Helena National Trust, Jamestown 2008
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edited: 02.12.2018
Tag Archives: Tychiorhinus
Tychiorhinus inaequalis Wollaston
Unequal Saint Helena Weevil (Tychiorhinus inaequalis)
The Unequal Saint Helena Weevil was described in 1877; it is, or probably was, restricted to the island of Saint Helena.
The species appears to have already been on the brink of extinction when it was discovered.:
“Although of extreme rarity, I have nevertheless taken the T. inaequalis in widely distant parts of the great central ridge (to which it seems to be peculiar), – namely amongst the sticks and wood of the old cabbage-trees about Diana’s Peak and Actaeon, as well as (under similar circumstances) at Cason’s, and at the edge of the precipice, or crater-wall, immediately above West Lodge.” [1]
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The Unequal Saint Helena Weevil was not found during the most recent field surveys and is now feared to be extinct.
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References:
[1] T. Vernon Wollaston: Coleoptera Sanctae-Helenae. London: John Van Voorst, Paternoster Row 1877
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edited: 26.05.2021