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Giraffe Weevil (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 weeks ago by to c/animals@lemmy.world
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From Steve Gettle

"How Crazy is This?" - Giraffe Weevil - Andasibe, Madagascar

Madagascar is filled with unique and interesting things found no where else on earth. This tiny insect is a giraffe weevil it is about 1.5 inches (4 CM) This one is a male, whose neck is roughly three times longer than a female's. During mating season the males will joust with their necks (much like a giraffe) trying to dislodge their rivals from the vegetation.

Good Luck and Good Light! Steve and Nicole

Image: Giraffe Weevil - Andasibe, Madagascar Nikon Z9, Nikkor 105mm Macro, 1/200th @ f16, ISO 200, Nikon R1 - C1 Macro flash, Image cropped 5% for final composition

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[–] 4 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

So giraffes I can get the evolutionary benefit of being taller to reach higher food, but what is the benefit here? Seems like just extra difficulty in creating and maintaining a long thin structure without much gain. Sometimes evolution makes something and it sticks for no real gain I suppose.

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  • [–] [S] 5 points 3 weeks ago

    All we seem to know is they use them for fighting and courtship displays. The males have necks 2-3x longer than the females, so it doesn't seem to be something for getting food or anything.

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