Bison-dung-association

Guides

• Thecesternus hirsutus

  bison dung weevil, bison snout beetle

  Thecesternus hirsutus is a small, flightless weevil in the family Curculionidae, native to North America. It was first described by Pierce in 1909 and gained scientific attention through evaluation as a potential biological control agent for Parthenium hysterophorus in Australia. The species is nocturnal, spends winter as larvae underground feeding on plant roots, and is known for its cryptic appearance and death-feigning behavior when disturbed.

  weevilCurculionidaeflightlessnocturnalroot-feedergall-formerbison-dung-associationbiological-controlcrypticthanatosisNorth-Americagrasslandprairie