Phyllobius pyri

Common leaf weevil

This tiny weevil often drops from a leaf and plays dead when disturbed, a trick that can fool birds and other predators into losing interest.

Where	Trees and shrubs in gardens
Size	5 to 7 mm body length
When	April to June

The common leaf weevil is a small, oval beetle with a short curved snout and elbowed antennae. Its wing cases are coppery when freshly emerged, darkening with age, and its reddish brown legs carry a distinct tooth along with fine ridges not found in most related species.

Adults feed on the leaves of trees and shrubs in spring and early summer, chewing small notches from the edges of leaves. When disturbed, they often drop from the foliage and remain motionless, a defense known as feigning death.

Traits

Habitat

Garden

Colour

Brown, Metallic

Active

Day

To people

Common on garden shrubs in spring; harmless to handle and not a pest of concern indoors.

Activity through the year

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Often confused with

Silver-green leaf weevilnot in guide

Phyllobius argentatus

Smaller at about 4 to 6 mm, with a more uniform bright golden green coat of scales and legs that lack the reddish colour and leg tooth of the common leaf weevil.