hedkokongvivel
Hypera melancholica
The hedkokongvivel (Hypera melancholica) is a distinctive weevil species characterized by its dark metallic bronze coloration and elongated rostrum adapted for piercing specialized host plants. This critically endangered beetle plays a crucial role as both herbivore and prey species in its ecosystem, with larvae that develop within the stems of rare endemic flowering plants.
27
Countries
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Coleoptera
Family
Curculionidae
Genus
Hypera
hedkokongvivel belongs to the family Curculionidae, order Coleoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The hedkokongvivel (Hypera melancholica) is a distinctive weevil species characterized by its dark metallic bronze coloration and elongated rostrum adapted for piercing specialized host plants. This critically endangered beetle plays a crucial role as both herbivore and prey species in its ecosystem, with larvae that develop within the stems of rare endemic flowering plants.
The hedkokongvivel faces severe population declines due to widespread habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urbanization across its range. Climate change is altering the temperature and moisture conditions of its specialized microhabitats, while invasive plant species are displacing native vegetation that this weevil depends upon for reproduction and survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Inhabits temperate grasslands, meadows, and field margins with specific host plants in the legume family, typically at elevations between 200-1200m. Requires areas with stable moisture levels and minimal disturbance for successful larval development in plant stems and roots.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The hedkokongvivel faces severe population declines due to widespread habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urbanization across its range. Climate change is altering the temperature and moisture conditions of its specialized microhabitats, while invasive plant species are displacing native vegetation that this weevil depends upon for reproduction and survival.
Climate change impacts on microhabitat conditions
Habitat loss from agricultural conversion
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Invasive plant species competition
Pesticide use in surrounding agricultural areas
Found in 27 Countries
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). hedkokongvivel (Hypera melancholica). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/hedkokongvivel