Attelabidae    Leaf-Roller Weevils
Represented in Britain by two subfamiles each containing a single very distinctive species; the oak leaf-roller weevil, Atelabus nitens (Scopoli)(Attelabinae) and the hazel leaf-roller weevil, Apoderus coryli (L.)(Apoderinae), neither of which can be mistaken for any other species. There is a striking superficial similarity in that both species are large with vivid red colouration over most of the body, both have rather square and somewhat flat, almost parallel-sided elytra which are much broader than an anteriorly narrowing pronotum, and in both the head is black. The antennae are distinctive; straight ie without a developed scape, and with a loose (cf Apionidae) three segmented club. The form of the claws, fused at the base, will distinguish Attelabidae from Rhynchitidae but for the practical purpose of recording the overall appearance is adequate for certain identification. Fowler presents a key to our species which employs characters that are practical and probably as good as any others but it is interesting to see that he also mentions the form of the intermediate coxae: 1 Head oval, strongly constricted behind, second joint of antennae very short, about a third the length of the first; intermediste coxae broadly distant....Apoderus (Ol.) -- Head subquadrate, not constricted behind; second joint of antennae not much shorter than first; intermediate coxae only slightly distant....Attelabus (L.) There are excellent colour photographs of both species in Hurka. Both species are of local occurence throughout England and Wales and both extend into Scotland, Attelabus as far north as Moray. Typical habitat is woodland, wooded parkland, hedgerows etc where the hosts occur. The life history is similar to that of the Rhynchitidae; Attelabus generally on Quercus (oak) and Apoderus on Corylus (hazel). The female lays an egg either within the epidermis or on the leaf surface and then rolls the leaf around it into a case in which the larvae feeds, the shape of the case being distinct for each species. According to Hurka eggs are laid in batches of 1-3 by Attelabus and the larva hibernate within the fallen leaf roll on the ground, pupating in the spring. In Europe Attelabus leaf rolls may be parasitised by the Rhynchitid Lasiorhynchites sericeus (Herbst) (a species now extinct in the UK Morris), commonly known as the cuckoo weevil; the female lays a single egg into the leaf roll and the larvae of both species develop together, overwinter in the fallen roll and pupate in the spring.
Apoderus coryli	Apoderus coryli	Apoderus coryli
Attelabus nitens
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