【Exquisite Specimen】Giraffe Weevil 3D Specimen - Takaki Fukui's Work - *Mecinus* spp.

Scientific Name: Trachelophorus giraffa

Japanese Name: Kirin Kubi Naga Otoshibumi
English Name: Giraffe Weevil


Featured in Chin-ki Konchuu BRUTUS (Rare Insects BRUTUS) on page 60 as follows:

One of the largest species in the Otoshibumi family, endemic to Madagascar. It can move the base of its neck in any direction and creates precise, origami-like leaf rolls to lay its eggs.

This is a 2021 work by Takayoshi Fukui, an insect specimen artist who no longer accepts new pinning orders. I believe it is a divine, three-dimensional pinned specimen that allows for not a single compromise.

The Giraffe Weevil (Trachelophorus giraffa) is a small weevil species endemic to Madagascar. Its body is black, and its elytra are covered with vibrant red wing covers. The Giraffe Weevil is known for its long neck, with males having necks 2-3 times longer than females. The long neck offers various advantages, including combat, attracting females, nest building, and resource acquisition. In the field of entomology, the Giraffe Weevil is noteworthy for exhibiting sexual dimorphism. Other beetle species share the scientific name Giraffe Weevil, such as the New Zealand Giraffe Weevil (Lasiorhynchus barbicornis).

Giraffe Weevils spend their entire lives on trees in the forests of Madagascar. Therefore, their food primarily consists of the trees they inhabit.

Male Giraffe Weevils are known to perform elaborate displays, swaying their necks and showcasing their vibrant coloration to attract mates. Female Giraffe Weevils evaluate these dances, and if they are pleased, the male gets an opportunity to court.
While no quantitative research has been conducted on the breeding habits of Giraffe Weevils, some observations have revealed several unique behaviors. Females may roll leaves into a leaf tube, lay a single egg inside, and then cut it off to drop it to the forest floor. This leaf serves as food for the larva for the first few days of its life.

Giraffe Weevils exhibit sexual dimorphism. Male Giraffe Weevils possess an elongated neck that females lack.

Please note that we cannot guarantee against grade reduction due to shipping.
We will ship the pictured specimen from Muramanga, Buhalazy, Madagascar. It was collected in January 1998. The size could not be measured.