#lixus

i always gently handle weevils like Lixus pulverulentus when possible, to avoid losing them before i'm able to get a photo, which can make it tricky to get a cool pose or angle without waving my hand around much. if they're calm enough, vertical shots like this are a classic, and make them look especially bananalike

yearning for morocco!!

I legit hate this but spent too much time on it so here ✌

It’s so good to see countries taking serious interest in their ancient heritage. It’s so important, I think, to know where one comes from.

once their wide repertoire of defensive tactics (falling, playing dead, flying five centimeters, falling, walking forward) has been exhausted, weevils can resort to biting. as i gently held this Lixus pulverulentus by the leg, it nibbled my finger causing a sensation comparable to an electric toothbrush on very low battery

they get over it eventually. when freed, this one gave me one last quick pose before falling yet again

as this Lixus pulverulentus was exploring my hand, its elytra opened ever so slightly which made me worry it was going to fly away before i could make sure any of the photos were usable. luckily it was just sort of stretching and gave me a very noble perching pose afterwards