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Rhynchodes ursus

Rhynchodes ursus, also known as the elephant weevil, is a weevil in the Curculionidae family. It is endemic to New Zealand. It is a wood-boring weevil found throughout New Zealand.

Taxonomy
This species was first described by Adam White in 1846. == Description ==
Description
The adults of this species were originally described by White as follows: This large weevil has a deep brown colour with two lighter bands near the side of its thorax. It has black legs with a spot of yellowish-brown hairs on each femur. It has dense scales on its body, which can be hair-like. In female specimens the antennae are inserted halfway along the rostrum and nearer the front in males. == Distribution ==
Distribution
This species is endemic to New Zealand and is found throughout the country. == Behaviour ==
Behaviour
This species is active at night and is able to fly. ==Hosts==
Hosts
Adult weevils are found on trees, where they gather to feed on sap. Larvae tunnel into dead trunks and branches of southern beeches, rimu and Dracophyllum traversii. ==Parasites==
Parasites
The larvae of R. ursus are the host of New Zealand's largest parasitic wasp, Certonotus fractinervis. Female wasps use a long ovipositor to lay eggs inside the larvae whilst those larvae develop inside trees. ==References==
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