Catasarcus spinipennis, Spiny weevil

Swan Coastal Plain, Perth, Western Australia

Here is a funky looking beetle; the Spiny weevil (Catasarcus spinipennis) found in South Western Australia. As from A Guide to the Beetles of Australia by G. Hangay and P. Zborowski: Weevils form the largest animal family of the world, including more than 40 000 described and perhaps the same number of undiscovered species. They follow mostly the same body plan, with a very prominent snout earning them the name snout beetles. Spikes are a bit less common amongst the weevils.

Photographed for the Meet Your Neighbours international nature photography project in Perth, Western Australia.

Canon EOS 7D with Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro lens; 1/250s at f/16 ISO 250, flash fired: from hand.