Giraffe weevil

The giraffe weevil (Trachelophorus giraffa) is a species of small weevil endemic to Madagascar. They are black-bodied and have bright red elytra covering their wings. Giraffe weevils are known for their elongated necks, with the males having necks 2 to 3 times the size of their female counterparts. There are several advantages to their elongated necks, including using them for combat, attracting mates, building nests, and acquiring resources. Male New Zealand giraffe weevils use their long snouts as weapons in fights over females assessing both their own strength and their rival’s to decide how hard to battle with escalation far more common than backing down. In the field of coleopterology, giraffe weevils are of interest because they exhibit sexual dimorphism. There are other beetle species that share the common name giraffe weevil, like the New Zealand giraffe weevil Lasiorhynchus barbicornis.